tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65262854550946989092024-03-08T07:06:20.845-08:00BurgundiaMission Reports and Journal of Bani ElkindErikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435808207395330499noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526285455094698909.post-30571619828356915202020-08-24T20:27:00.002-07:002020-08-24T20:27:51.101-07:00Journal - The Mouse Trap<div style="text-align: justify;">Oksana and I had taken the remainder of the afternoon gathering clothes and essentials from the shops in the area. Going through clothes was a tedious business. The wonder in her eyes was intense. There were many moments where she stood staring and trembling, her senses overwhelmed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The first of those moments, the very worst of them, was when an airship moved from behind a building, blocking the sun and filling the sky. It was pointed in our direction, just leaving the dock. Her eyes grew wide, body shaking, gooseflesh covering her arms and up her neck. I acted quickly, pulling my leather jacket and tossing it over her shoulders as she started to writhe. I saw her fighting the change but fear driving her on. I pulled Oksana close and moved us from the street. I could hear what sounded like knuckles popping as her face began to elongate, her pupils dilating. I moved in close to her, coming within inches of her face.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Just look at me. Look at me.” I whispered to her while pointing to my eyes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She calmed by degrees, gaining control, her face and skin returning to normal. She took a deep breath and hugged me. I could still feel her body shuddering. She chanced a look at the dirigible as it ponderously moved overhead and then away from us. I took a deep breath and put my hand to her heart. Strangely, feeling it in my neck while it slowed to a calm rhythm.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was then that I realized how important the Kalderari tradition was. This gift, or curse, is not something that one can simply contain alone.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Family is everything.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The other moments of trembling were simply indecision, but the signs were similar enough that I moved to support her while she came to grips with the unfamiliar and the chaotic.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Outside of clothes, there were all manners of other supplies I needed for the new apartment: towels, washcloths, rinses, sprays, alcohol, ammonia, brushes, razors, medical kit, and bobby pins, and toiletries.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I bought enough for simple meals. I intended to go dining on the town to find what she was most interested in, then I could attempt to prepare those things at home. At this point, the amount of bags we had gathered was dizzying. But there was still one more place to go.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The bookstore was quaint. The selection of Beryat material was thin. There were enough language guides and children’s books that crossed multiple languages that would possibly open up other options for her. I grabbed anything that might help and put the stack on the front counter. Oksana stood, arms out at wide angles, carrying the plethora of bags. She looked unperturbed, eyes sleepy, though she was grinning pleasantly.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We divided up the bags and walked the near two kilometers back to the apartment. I could see her test the air along the road and briefly at each alley. She would look to me every so often and smile warmly, blink slowly, then go back to her investigation. I could see the exhaustion coming through.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was nearly sunset when we made our way into the apartment. I placed the bags down on the kitchen floor. Putting the food away, but letting the rest sit until tomorrow morning. Oksana had removed her shoes at the end of the bed and flopped backwards. She sluggishly tugged at the layers of the sun dress, but it meant she’d have to get up again. I put the books down on the side table and laid next to her, moving in close and putting my arm over her middle. I propped up on an elbow and played with her hair, her eyes closed at the touch. She turned toward me, inclining her chin toward me and pursing her lips, requesting a kiss. I obliged.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Vremya spat'.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She turned her head back to stare at the ceiling, then closed her eyes. I played with her dark hair for a moment longer then got up. She opened her eyes then glanced at me with a slightly perturbed look.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“You sleep.” I pointed to her and pantomimed sleep.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Da, spat'.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Ah, that’s what she’d said, “sleep”.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She said and nodded, then lifted a hand heavily and waved idly for me to continue.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I am going to talk to Blanka.” I pantomimed, using my hands as talking puppets.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Blanka?” She rolled her eyes then shrugged, “Udachi moya lyubov’.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I bounded on the bed, then descended on her with one kiss, then another.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Idi, idi!” She said and shooed me away.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I moved off of the bed and picked up one of the Beryat primers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“We are going to learn to read Beryat together.” I said, showing her the book.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I thumbed through catching a few words. I struggled for a moment and put the words together.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“My uchimsya chitat'.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Da, da.” She said sleepily, her eyes still closed, “Idi seychas!”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She made a motion to shoo me out of the room with one lazy hand, it promptly flopped to the bed. I clicked off the light in the room and I could hear her breathing deeply almost instantly. I was trembling with fatigue myself, but I doubt the events of the last few days would let me rest.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I decided to get to Mausfal a touch early.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The meeting time came and went. I ordered another pint, prepared to drink alone. Blanka was really upset.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>And you handled it brilliantly.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I shrugged and tipped into the remainder of the stout I’d been nursing. She’d come around, I’m sure. Probably. I couldn’t imagine <i>never </i>working an assignment with her again. I sighed. Regulars had been filtering in, I could tell because the barkeep knew every one of them and they all seemed to sit exactly where they’d sat for the many years they’ve come here.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A radio played a static-laden mix of strings, horns, and accordion in a jaunty polka. The electric lights were well covered exuding a warmly lit environment with the prevailing saturation of yellows and reds. The darkly stained and highly lacquered wooden tables and chairs, and the bar, itself, all looked much darker than they actually were.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I felt a point of heartsickness for the life I’d left behind. A life that changed completely within the last two days. But I also knew I was better for it. Oksana was a ray of sunshine to what could be an overwhelmingly dark world. One that was getting darker, still, with each new discovery.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>I hope the others will see that.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A familiar male face walked into the bar. Short brimmed cap, Icenian style, and a polished outfit that was terribly out of place in this well-worn establishment.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Cornel?” I said, incredulous.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I see. You’ve already forgotten about me,” Blanka spoke up from his elbow.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“That man just really knows how to make an entrance.” I said with a shrug.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I hopped up, nearly sending my chair to the floor. I hugged Blanka, holding it for a moment longer than usual. Then beckoned Cornel close and hugged him, too.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Both seemed a little taken aback by the response, but only a little. I may have been feeling a little tipsy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cornel grabbed a chair and spun it around, putting his arms on the backrest. I pulled a chair for Blanka and she slipped into it. I sat back and pointed at the two of them simultaneously, then shrugged.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I found him wandering about town.” Blanka said, a little exasperated, “Far too overdressed for a place like this. For the <i>whole town</i> of Oberisk.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I nodded.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I sure didn’t expect it. You look well, Cornel!”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He nodded, a content smile. He had a certain peace about him that hadn’t been there before.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Bani. I heard stories,” he nodded toward Blanka, who turned toward me with fire in her eyes, “Tell me they aren’t true.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Oh, you get right into it, don’t you. Would you like a round of drinks first? I know I would.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I lifted a hand and beckoned the female server that had been delivering my beer. I ordered food and drinks for the table.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“And, just bring the bottle, if you could. The 15-year.” I pointed at a whiskey on the shelf behind the barkeep.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I refused to talk until drinks were delivered. Both Blanka and Cornel tried to goad me into it, with no result. Blanka slid deep into her chair, giving me a smoldering look while folding her arms.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“While we wait, tell me where you’ve been, Cornel?”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He shrugged, looking down at his immaculate clothes. His shoes shone like Angelica’s Kompressor. Rings, a watch, and the customary cap which was a rich leather and wool ensemble. Every inch of him screamed money.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“A little soul searching.” He looked pensive and inclined his chin and continued, “You dress the part, you act the part, so they say. My life’s on the line every time we go out on these adventures. I would rather wear what I earn than never fully enjoy it.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I nodded.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Fatalistic, but realistic.” I said, I nodded toward Blanka, “You’re not the only one barely who has nearly seen the light on the other side. Or dark, depending on what you believe.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cornel glanced at Blanka. She didn’t meet his gaze.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“We’ve all seen it,” I continued, “Up close and personal. We make our peace however we can.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The bottle arrived with glasses, I poured the drinks around.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Now we celebrate. Because we <i>enjoy</i> the time we’re alive.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I raised my glass, looking between Blanka and Cornel.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“So it is true. You’re in a rare state.” Cornel said, an eyebrow raised while joined the cheer.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Blanka took a little longer. She uncoiled an arm and snaked the drink from the table. She was really invested in this angry stare.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I clicked their glasses and sipped at the whiskey.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Bracing.” I said, “Probably not the best note to start on this evening.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I paused.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Yes. I’m married.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cornel smirked, Blanka shook her head with an angry frown.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“The story is pretty fantastic. Or you could read the report.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Bani, I never read reports.” He held up a finger, “Correction, I never read <i>your </i>reports.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I’ll give you the short version, then.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I launched into the story for the second time. I was a little more careful with nuance this time around, though. I couldn’t speak ill of the Kalderari like I had alluded to earlier with Angelica. Something did not feel right about it. I explained the moment with the soldier and the Kalderari, and how it led me to the Taxidermist’s house where I found the half-starved Oksana.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“You found this woman in the house and she was the... Wait,” Blanka’s eyes widened and she exclaimed loudly, “She’s the f…”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She stopped herself, then leaned into the table.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“She’s the <i>werewolf?</i>” Blanka whispered harshly, “The woman at Habsburg!?”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cornel crunched his face awkwardly, speechless.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I gave a nod, sipping at the whiskey.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Blanka reeled, shaking her head, while Cornel’s vacuous look remained unchanged.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I explained the hit squad and the conflict at the camp. Both of them were enraptured as I laid out the scene. Both shaking their heads as I explained my walk through the camp surrounded by angry werewolves. I dropped into the conversation with Ursi.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I explained that I would take Oksana to safety. That I would take responsibility for her. That we, at Nachtrichter, would be her family.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Blanka was getting ahead of the story, pulling together the pieces faster than I could lay them down. Her eyes began to shimmer and she put her hand to her mouth. Cornel was my audience at this point. His anticipation was palpable.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“The camp elder came back with this book, probably the oldest thing in the camp. I got a look at it, completely beyond me that anyone could read what was written in there.” I leaned in, “He reads along for a bit, then looks up at me and asks, ‘You would take responsibility for her?’. I nodded and said I would. ‘Would you be her family?’ he asks and I nod again. ‘Prove it.’ he says. I never even saw it coming.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A tear emerged from Blanka’s left eye and ran down the back of her hand. I kept my eyes on Cornel, not wanting to acknowledge it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“He left it to me. To save Oksana’s life by marrying her.” I said with a shrug, “He put the responsibility squarely on me. So, I said yes. I committed to this bond in order to save her life. If I was willing to die for her by coming into a camp full of enemies, I should also be willing to <i>live </i>for her.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I glanced between them. Cornel was agape and motionless, the glass in his hand hovered just above the table. Blanka had sat back a little in her chair, sitting out of the light coming from the candle in the center of the table.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I would do anything for any of you, I hope you know that. But I would do the same for anyone who deserved to be saved. She <i>deserved </i>to be saved. Her life has been full of darkness. Someday she’ll tell you about it.” I said, shaking my head, “I know you all see me as this bleeding heart. It is borne of a sense of fairness, balance, and what is right. It’s why I joined Nachtrichter. I <i>believe </i>in the charter we uphold.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I paused, pouring nearly three fingers into the glass and downing at least one of those fingers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Good god, I will not hear the end of this from Bjorn. I know it. But I did the right thing, I know I did.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cornel shook his head.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Either you’re a brilliant liar or you truly are the Boy Scout they all say you are.” He said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I furrowed my brow at his response. I glanced toward Blanka, she hadn’t moved, then returned my gaze to Cornel.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Where did this come from? Who is ‘they all’? Wolfgang kept saying it, too. <i>Even as</i> we broke into Angelica’s quarters.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This prompted a look of surprise from Blanka, but she didn't press.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Breads, sausage, nuts, and mustard had arrived in the midst of my story and sat untouched. I realized I was ravenously hungry. It was a good way to take a break and let the moment breathe.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“So, you’re an honorary Kalderari now?” Blanka said, leaning back into the light of the table.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I <i>am </i>Kalderari, according to tradition.” I said, and tugged the braided necklace out from under my shirt, “I can walk into any camp and they will recognize me as one of theirs. Oksana, too.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Both Blanka and Cornel had been there at Neuchatel, they’d seen the camps dangers and allures.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Boy, they know how to throw a party. That was last night. I’m not sure how I’m still awake.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I paused again to munch and a handful of nuts. A familiar song drifted from the radio. It was a portion of Rhapsody in Blue, the slow, sweeping sound mid-way through the song was cut short for radio. Blanka stirred and looked at me.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Would a married man dance with an unmarried woman?” She said, then, without looking, stood and moved to the empty side of the bar where tables had been cleared.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I joined her and she looked up at me. I noticed her eyes were red, though she tried to hide it. I pulled her close and she looped her thin, pale arms around my neck.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Bani. I’m sorry for earlier.” She looked at me, briefly, then leaned her cheek against my chest, rocking her head back and forth, “It’s just, a lot. It’s too much.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I squeezed her close.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I don’t want things to change. I’m not ready.” She paused, then added, “I need more time.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We moved to the swell of the music, the piano tinny through the radio’s speaker. The song played loudly in my head, though. I had heard it many times before.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Things will change, and you’ll change with them,” I spoke softly into her hair, putting my hand on her head and holding her close, “I meant it when I said I would do anything for you. I would be there for you in a heartbeat.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I felt her tears soaking through my shirt.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“We are family. We have been since we first started down this road with Nachtrichter. Bjorn, too. We’re bound by blood and duty. You’ve dragged me to safety. I’ve carried you safety.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I took a deep breath, dragging up the painful memories.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“We’ve even killed to protect each other. We are <i>forever </i>bonded. I will be there for you.” I said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The song began to change.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I will, too.” Blanka said, her voice catching and her face hidden.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She stepped away without looking back, disappearing into the women’s bathroom.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I put my hands to my chest and felt her tears.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>It’ll get easier. You’ll see.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I moved back to the table. Almost expecting to see Cornel still stuck in place. He glanced at me and then back to Blanka’s exit.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“She was so angry.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I nodded.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I’d say she had a right to be, but she didn’t know the situation. This was a hard decision for me, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat.” I picked up the drink and pulled another finger’s worth of whiskey, then said, “What about you? Are you ready to join in again?”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cornel nodded.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I’ve made my peace. I am still not sure I’m cut out for this, but I’ll die trying.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Later rather than sooner, my friend.” I said, lifting my drink.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He echoed the gesture and we both sipped.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I have something you might find interesting.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He looked at me with a raised eyebrow and pursed lips.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I think you’ll be impressed.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I slid the plain wooden box from my jacket.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“The man I bought it from called it an ‘anytool’.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I grinned in anticipation of his reaction. I pulled the lump of clay from the box and molded it briefly then held it in my hand and said a word. A hammer formed. Cornel gasped, dumbfounded. I rapped the table top, hard. I held it up again and said another word and it shifted to a long knife. I cut one of the sausage slices in half, stabbed it, and ate it. The blade was <i>exceptionally </i>sharp.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“How?” He could barely close his jaw.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Honestly, I don’t know. But I got a wicked discount on it.” I shrugged, “Something about getting married, after all. Maybe this is more your speed.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another word and a crowbar appeared.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“It’s light, but you feel the weight of it when it changes. It’s otherworldly.” I said, “or maybe this?”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another word and a set of lockpicking tools appeared. Cornel covered his mouth in shock. I smiled widely then dropped the clay into the box and put the slip of paper on top of it and scooted it over to him. He looked up at me in shock.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“It’s yours. I, literally, have no use for it.” I pointed at it again, “No one is going to catch you. There’s nothing to pat down.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He sharply inhaled and his eyes began to brim.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I… this… why?” He stammered.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Welcome back, Cornel. I’m glad you’ll be working with us again.” </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He wiped absently at his face.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“This is…” he was having difficulty speaking, he blinked rapidly, “This is the best gift I have ever received.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I smiled and reached over the table to clap him on the shoulder. Blanka arrived and took a seat, suddenly aware of the strange exchange. She looked between us and the box on the table, then back to the nearly weeping Cornel.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“What did you do?” Blanka asked me with a little heat.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Look! Look at this!” Cornel took the lump of clay and started demonstrating it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It immediately reminded me of Oksana, smiling with pride as she rapidly shifted it through its various forms.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Blanka’s reaction was also priceless. She looked to me and shook her head in disbelief.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Thank you, Bani!” Cornel said standing, then he came around the table and gave me a big hug.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Blanka was showing the beginnings of a smile, too.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I breathed a sigh of relief.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>We’ll make it. Everything will work out just fine.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I slipped below the warmth of alcohol, blissfully listening to the radio and the light chit chat of Blanka and Cornel as they handed the “anytool” back and forth. I felt fortunate to have landed with such great friends. It had been a strange path to this point. I sipped at my drink watching Cornel finally taking the lump of clay from Blanka who scowled at him playfully. He dropped it into the wood box and slipped it into his suitcoat’s inner pocket.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Heavy footsteps came down the entrance from the street and Bjorn filled the doorway. I brightened with a wave then immediately withdrew. I felt a little ill as the rush of memory filled in the gaps between then and now.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>I am going to catch so much hell from him.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He’d seen my wave, inclined his head in our direction, and approached. Blanka bounded up and gave the big man a hug. Cornel stood, too, and they shook hands.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I sighed, resigned, and waited for the inevitable.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It started with a waterfall of explanation from Blanka. Quickly recounting a smattering of what had gone on, thoroughly confusing Bjorn in the process with the barrage of words.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She stopped, blinked twice and said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“You should ask Bani. Ask him about his mission.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I gave her a smoldering look for the fire that she was joyfully stoking. My look prompted a cutesy little half-grin and then she stuck out her tongue.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bjorn sat heavily and looked at me, shaking his head.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Not sure what dat’s about. Sounds like I won’t like it.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I shrugged.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Blanka huffed, raising her emphatically.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“If you don’t tell him, I will.” She said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Didn’t you just try?”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I just have to say just a few words. Bjorn, Bani got ma…” She started, drawing it out.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Fine! Blanka. Dammit girl.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She made a kissy face and leaned in with an elbow on the table.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bjorn was shaking his head.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“No, don’t say it. Let me get some clear liquids in me first. If you’re going ta waste my time, let me drink while ya do it.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Multiple shots graced the table. I had the remainder of the bottle in front of me, but I pushed it away in lieu of the generous amount of Norman vodka that had just appeared in front of me. The server looked concerned.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Are you going to take care of him?” She said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“The real questions, am I going to take care of you, darlin’?”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Her eyes widened at Bjorn’s response, she looked exasperated and promptly walked away.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“So, what’d you do, Bani? Rescue any strays? Make friends with another Wampyr?”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Well, one of those.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I moved into the story, keeping it simple and direct. I could read his expression as the story went on. He was drawing the same conclusions that Blanka did, and just as quickly. His face was unperturbed, but his alcohol consumption ramped quickly. The headshaking started when I spoke of walking into the heart of the camp and that the only way to save her was to wed her.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A rolling belly laugh came out of the large man.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Bani, Bani, Bani. A shotgun wedding to a Varulv. I leave you alone for a week,” he said, letting it trail off and moved to take another drink.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Bani, tell him about the dress!” Blanka said, excitedly and a little starry-eyed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Ah, the wedding dress. Traditional, apparently. Like a puzzle box.” I weaved while demonstrating with my hands, “You have to work together to get her out of it. Or, ya know, the wedding isn’t official.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bjorn sputtered a little and shook his head again.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“And ya consummated,” he exhaled loudly, “Dat brings so many questions ta mind. We’ll save them for another time. What did ya tell Angelica?”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He tipped back heavily as I answered.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Everything, really. She drank a bit like you.” I waved a hand at him, “I brought Oksana into the castle so they could talk.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">His eyes widened.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Breaking how many security protocols. And she didn’t fire ya?”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Nope. She did ask if I was going to quit. She seemed relieved when I said ‘Hell no’.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I looked at the glass in front of me. I was thirsty. This wasn’t water, but I drank anyway.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Well, I woulda fired your ass. On the spot,” he said, shaking his head, “A Varulv in Habsburg.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“You know I wouldn’t put anyone in danger, Bjorn.” I mulled the vodka around in the glass, “She’s safe, believe me. She just needs guidance. I really needed Angelica to talk to her; she’s the only one who speaks Beryat.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another rolling laugh from Bjorn.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“This just keeps getting better and better. You two can’t even talk?”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I flopped the recently abused Beryat phrasebook on the table.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“It takes a while. She can’t read, either.” I sighed, my eyes wandered the tilting room, “Lillery-. Lilter-. Literally, a blank slate. I know she’s smart, speaks the language, but no education.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Can she do anything? Any other skills? Besides da ones I won’t mention in polite company.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I shrugged.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“We just gotta be able to talk. A tutor, maybe? I asked Angelica about that. I’d pay for it.” I said, nodding, “I’ll learn Beryat, too. It’ll be fun.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Noble. It’ll end in disaster, but noble.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“After that? I dunno. She <i>can’t</i> have a normal job, but, here? She could!”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bjorn squinted at me.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Bani,” he said firmly, “Please tell me ya didn’t bring this up with the SAC?”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I gave him a bemused look with a slight shrug. He began to chuckle again.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Bani and da Varulv, going on missions together.” Bjorn said, shaking his head again.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I looked at the two of him and swam a little, I was on the edge of consciousness. I finished off the glass.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“That’s not water. Again.” I said, sitting back back and pointing at the empty glass.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cornel stood, somehow sideways, and came back with some glasses and a sweating pitcher. I traced lines through the lines running down the pitcher. It was very cool to the touch. I was burning up and parched, but it was a mystery to how I’d get that coolness inside of me.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Cornel? Blanka? I think our mission leader needs a walk home.” He grunted, lifting himself from the chair, “Shall we?”</div>Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435808207395330499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526285455094698909.post-15611526330686444912020-08-24T15:27:00.003-07:002020-08-24T15:27:43.708-07:00Journal - Oksana<span id="docs-internal-guid-1e6841dc-7fff-348a-dafb-5271c118e8d1"><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 20pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;">I stared at the phone that had been installed in my apartment.</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The cost to Nachtrichter must have been enormous and I still hadn’t even picked up the speaker from where it hung on the side of the phone. The man who had installed it looked around my humble apartment curiously, “Do you know how to use it?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Why would I have it installed if I didn’t know how to use it?” I said tersely. That halted all questions and he went about his business, scratching the phone number on a card and placing it in the center of the phone’s dial.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now I was unsure of if I </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">wanted </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to use it. I planned on making an in-person visit to Castle Habsburg later today, for one, to give my short debrief to Angelica, before sitting down to write out my report. But there was someone I needed to talk to first.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn would take it in stride, it didn’t affect him other than how my bleeding heart had put me into another awkward situation.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But Blanka? Oh, and I couldn’t imagine it going well. There was more there to process than I could fathom. I didn’t know where to start. I feared that it might be considered a betrayal and that the damage may be permanent.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, you start at the beginning and hope for the best.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I picked up the handset, thumbing at the heavy stock card she’d given me, then started rotating the dial through the numbers. Clicks and pops later. A thin voice came on the line.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Hello?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Blanka, it’s Bani.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh! You’ve gotten a phone?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes installed just the other day.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She asked for my phone number and I could hear her shuffling through her card stock. The speaker was having a hard time picking up her voice. I rattled off my phone number.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Got it. Why are you calling? Did you miss me.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You wouldn’t happen to know Beryat, would you?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Hah, no. Never thought it would be useful. That’s my mother’s territory.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Angelica knows Beryat?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes. I only know the swear words. She knows those, too. She’s used them a lot.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I hesitated.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You should come up to the Castle.” I stammered, “There’s something I need to tell you.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Bani, that’s what a telephone is for. Telling.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Not like this. There’s someone I want you to meet.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Why are you acting funny?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I got married.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The phone croaked loudly in my hand.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’ve got to go. I hope you can make it.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Bani! Bani? Don’t you dare…”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I dropped the speaker on the handset and the speaker popped as the connection was cut.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m Bani, an expert in negotiations and disarming sensitive situations.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I tugged at the necklace, looking down at the red beads. Oksana looked at me with some concern.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Beda?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I shrugged at her question.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oksana was still investigating the apartment. She had been wandering around naked since we’d arrived. It was a lovely sight, her ribs still shown through in an unhealthy way. By now, she knew the contents of every cabinet, the icebox, and a few shelves I hadn’t discovered yet.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She’d even found a dead mouse in the bathroom that she poked at a few times a torrent of Beryatian words spilling out of her mouth. I disposed of it quickly, unsure of what she was considering doing with it. My quick remedy didn’t bother her, though. She was too busy looking at her face in the mirror. She was in there for a very, very long time. I wondered how long it had been since she’d seen her own face, and even more, did she even recognize herself?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This language barrier was daunting. Her being unable to read went along with it. I’m sure she could pick it up. Learning to read in Beryat may be the best approach. I bet Angelica would know what to do. I felt another moment’s hesitation. The SAC may have some </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">thoughts </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">about the results of the mission. I’d gone significantly off script this time.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oksana moved in close, reading my face, she echoed my furrowed expression. Then reached over and hooked her fingers in my mouth and pulled the corners of my mouth into a smile and smiled herself. Then patted me gently on the cheek.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Gde tvoya ulybka?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I laughed at that. She beamed in response. I pulled her close and kissed her.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You’re right.” I said, “There’s no point in waiting. Into the breach.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I weaved my hands into her hair on the back of her head. I pulled her close for another kiss, then ran my hand along her bare back and buttocks. She blinked a few times and raised her eyebrows.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Well, maybe after this.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- - -</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was a short trip up to the Castle on the motorcycle. She was in the simple sundress wearing the boots that Babik’s niece gave us. Oksana was smiling into the wind, firmly grasping my waist. Her joy was contagious.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We moved up the road to the castle, weaving between the bollards. I triggered the speaker, pressing the button to speak to the interior. A slot in the small inset door opened and closed, and the larger door was wheeled open. I pulled into the “Killbox”. It was Bjorn’s word. There had to be a more diplomatic term. It did nothing to make me feel safe, but that was the point, after all.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The soldier standing guard was wearing a MP 33 submachine gun and a mounted gun hung loosely on its gimbal above us. I stopped at the soldiers command and dropped my kickstand and killed the engine. I knew the soldier, but I went through the formality. There were no exceptions for any level of command.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He looked at me and then looked at Oksana and raised an eyebrow. Oksana was regarding the high walls around us, too. Clearly looking for exits, but also squinting at the walls as if she’d be able to scale them.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“She’s with me. We’re here to visit the SAC.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’ll have to take a note.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While he scratched out some notes, he looked the bike over. When he was satisfied with the inspection, he nodded toward Oksana and smiled at me with a wink.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Stay in your lane, soldier.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He blanched and stood a little straighter.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes, sir.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He pulled the door open. I kickstarted the motorcycle and pulled into the yard. Parking next to Angelica’s massive Kompressor. Oksana’s eyes widened at the courtyard itself. The vehicles, the towers, and other mechanical wonders around her. It was an entirely new experience for her.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I noticed a new one myself. The 88; an artillery battery. It was in a position where it could be levelled straight down the approach, through the kill box. Bjorn had made a lot of requests. It appeared that they were quickly being fulfilled.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was a stencil on the side: ‘Olga’.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Didn’t we already have an Olga?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oksana leaned forward, wanting to touch the Kompressor’s mirror polish.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oksana?” I motioned her to follow with my head.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As she approached, I held out my hand to her. I could see a few shadows in the windows around the castle proper. If it sparked any rumors, they’d confirmed soon enough.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I moved up through the tower, with Oksana in tow. I stopped at the SACs door and took a deep breath, then tapped at the door. A few moments passed. I heard the inner door open and close. Then the door to the office opened. She was dressed casually, which was still stylishly excessive to what I normally wore.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Bani.” She said with a smile, then blinked twice as she saw Oksana, she pulled the door open wider and saw us holding hands; her face went expressionless.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She motioned to the seats. My palms started to sweat. Angelica moved back into her office and sat on the edge of the desk facing the chairs. I took a deep breath and dove in. I led Oksana to the seat furthest from Angelica and took the other. The SAC had a commanding view and I felt laid bare.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“So?” Angelica said, glancing at Oksana then focusing on me.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“This is Oksana. She is the one that the soldier reported on,” I hesitated briefly, “She’s the werewolf.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Angelica’s eyes sized up the distance between her and Oksana, but did not otherwise react to the news.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“And we’re married.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her eyes widened at that. She slid from the table, using her hand to fan her face. She moved over to the liquor cabinet and pulled out three glasses. She did a loose pour with an expensive whisky over the three glasses, spilling only a few drops on her desk.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She tossed back her first pour, swallowing hard, then poured another two finger’s worth into the glass and held it in front of her.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I should always have this out when I talk to you now, shouldn’t I?” She breathed deeply, “So, please explain?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I went into the light details of the situation. The research, the discovery, and the Kalderari’s insistence on putting down this aberration. While I spoke, I reached over and took Oksana’s hand. Angelica saw it and cleared her throat gently, but did not interrupt.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I explained the hope to escape, the chance encounter with Kostanza that led me to the lodge, and the eventual verbal showdown in the Kalderari camp. She blinked several times at that, her mouth hung open just a little. She continued to look back and forth between us.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“They immediately prepared us to be married. They retrieved her from the lodge and I was officially adopted into the Kalderari family allowing her to </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">also</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> join the family and </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">live</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> according to their traditions.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She put her hand over her mouth, stroking at her cheek.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Do we need to discuss any changes to your employment?” She said, simply.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I must have looked confused.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Do you intend to quit?” She asserted.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What? No!”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She immediately relaxed, slumping slightly. She sipped a little heavily from her drink.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Bani. I have never, ever seen anyone go as far above and beyond the call of duty that you have. That was before now.” She gestured, “This, honestly, I have no words.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She glanced at Oksana and narrowed her eyes.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“She hasn’t understood a word we’ve said, has she?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“She’s from Keurg. Sorry if I failed to mention that.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Ah, yes. You did mention it, but I assumed she’d learned Alaman.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Angelica didn’t break stride, she turned to Oksana and started speaking quickly in Beryat. Oksana looked stunned. Her eyebrows rose as she looked at Angelica. It was clear that Angelica was introducing herself. There were rapid fire responses between them. Oksana was brushing away tears, as she did in the hotel room. Not actually crying, but a response to being emotionally overwhelmed.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I realized how Oksana had been feeling up to that moment. So many words, and none I could understand. This was likely the first person who Oksana could clearly communicate with in over a decade. They both took moments to glance at me through the conversation. Angelica had stopped asking questions at this point, and Oksana was speaking animatedly, with the occasional gesture toward me.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was a moment that Angelica’s eyes glossed slightly, she looked at me with sadness, a sense of loss. Oksana was gesturing about bounds around her hand. I recognized that she was recounting the wedding. She grabbed at the necklace and pointed to mine.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oksana took my hand, and spoke to me directly. Then took my hand and kissed it. Angelica had turned away, looking in the liquor cabinet. When she turned back, her eyes were red.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“She said that she hopes that this dream never ends. She felt she’d deserved nothing more than nightmares.” Angelica translated, then cleared her throat again giving a weak smile, “She’s a sweet girl. Congratulations.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I nodded to Angelica, recognizing the layers of emotion, and how badly she wanted them all to stay in place.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I was hoping you could help me with the language barrier. Not you yourself, but any thoughts to get to a place where we can communicate?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Angelica was pensive.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I could only help in my spare time, which I have very little of. There are books we could use.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“She can’t read, not even in her own language. She’s capable, though. She’s intelligent, just not educated.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I pulled the phrasebook, and Oksana visibly deflated at the sight of it.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“See? I can’t really win here.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Have you thought of learning Beryat?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t have the mind for it. It’s a wonder I can even speak High Alaman.” I said, then wondered, “Would her learning to read Beryat help her learn another language? She’d at least be able to use this?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I held up the phrasebook.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s a possibility. She has a command of the language, even a decent vocabulary. Deep in the woods of the Keurg Union, born to werewolves.” Angelica shook her head, dumbfounded.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“And capable of controlling her change. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In an instant.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> She’s lived as a dog for the better part of fifteen years!”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Angelica’s eyes narrowed.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What are you thinking, Bani? Be careful. This is strange territory.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t know. She doesn’t have a place in society. Her sitting home while I’m out on deployment isn’t the life I wanted to give her. Yes, it’s better than where she’s been, sure, but there’s a world of possibilities. I want to make sure she has the best chance to succeed.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Angelica grimaced and her jaw tensed.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We can’t talk about this now.” She was stern, “You hardly know her. She’s unproven. For now, we take small steps. Very, very small steps. Start with communication. Find a Beryat primer, picture books, anything. It’s a good place to start, then we can expand on it. I will look for a tutor who can bridge the gaps, but this must be financed by you. Are you prepared for that?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Absolutely. I’m in it. I can’t go back. And, I’ve realized that I wouldn’t want to if I could. I feel a peace I haven’t for ages. For the first time in years I’ve felt </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">happy</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I said the words, it felt like a revelation to myself.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Angelica nodded, her lips compressing into a thin line.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I will help where I can, but you must temper your expectations.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I nodded.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Could you get me started on citizenship and identification?” I asked.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“There are processes for that. I can start it, sure, but you’ll need to go through appropriate channels. It will take time, but it is a straightforward process once you’ve started.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Angelica stood again, smoothing her dress.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Is there anything else?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes. I didn’t intend to talk about this first. I apologize. This is about business.” I said as I pulled the box containing the “anytool”.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Angelica shook her head, dismissing the apology then nodded toward the box.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What is this?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The man who vouched for me showed me this. He called it the ‘anytool’.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I took the clay in my hand and spoke a keyword. It turned into a hammer. Another word, it turned into a knife.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Angelica nodded appreciatively and Oksana marvelled. I continued my explanation.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“This looked similar to what the Rhinkani used when fighting Bjorn and Wolfgang. The man at the camp said he knew the secret of forming this tool, but I don’t really know that I could trust him before we became </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">brothers</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.” I smiled to myself, thinking of Babik admitting his lack of honor, “I mentioned the Rhinkani and he knew what I spoke of. I didn’t have much time with him after that. At least, not in a place where we could actually talk about it.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Angelica excused herself and moved out into the hall. Oksana beckoned to hold the clay. I scooted my chair close to hers and put the clay in the box. I looked at the slip of paper and practiced the word to make the knife appear. When she repeated it back, I handed her unmolded clay.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She said the word and it lengthened and hardened into a knife. She was fascinated by the change. She looked at me for other words, motioning me to continue. I looked down the list, giving her words, now casually reading them off. She would repeat them instantly and the tool would form.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Angelica walked in on this exchange, holding a box in her own hand. Oksana called out to Angelica, then repeated the list of words I’d told her, the tool formed rapidly between each form as she did so.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Angelica blinked, her eyes were expressionless as they moved to meet mine, then back to Oksana. She quickly spoke some words and Oksana’s eyes returned to the tool, then handed it back to me. It turned to clay when it moved to my hand and I returned it to the box.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Angelica focused on the bluish lump in her hand, grasping it and saying a difficult to pronounce word. A longsword formed, extremely ornate with a flowing design. Its majesty rivaled, if not exceeded, the Montenican blade that was hanging on my wall at home.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Each word changed the form, each was a different type of weapon.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I had been wanting to investigate the nature of these things, but it is good to know that there are more useful forms of this.” Angelica said nodding to the box in my hand.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Angelica stood again, smoothing her dress. She glanced between Oksana and I.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Anything else? If not, I suggest taking her to find some new clothes and maybe a book or two.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Nothing more, here. I’ll get some shopping done.” I said, then hesitated briefly, “Thank you for working with me on this and speaking with her. I appreciate the support.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While she looked conflicted, she gave a subtle shrug.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“If anything, I appreciate the company. I’m busy, but the castle has been inordinately quiet. And, as always, Bani, exceptional work.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She turned toward Oksana who brightened again when hearing her own language. The exchange was brief, but it ended with an eager series of nods from Oksana.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We moved from the room and I shut the door behind me. Oksana hugged my arm, speaking rapidfire Beryat at me, knowing she was only speaking to herself. She beamed with delight, I could feel her smile without looking at her.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We moved back down and out onto the stones, moving back toward the motorcycle. Clouds adorned the sky, casting a shadow over the courtyard. I saw a hunched figure, breathing heavily and pushing a bicycle as the doors to the bailey began to close.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was Blanka. I wasn’t sure if I was glad to see her just yet.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She ditched the bicycle against the stone wall and marched up to me. Immediately making a fist and jabbing me weakly in the stomach. Oksana bristled, stepping forward, and I quickly held up a hand. The quick exchange made Blanka take a step back with a look of horror at Oksana.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh. You weren’t kidding.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She was agape with the realization.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Bani? What did you do?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I shrugged.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka pawed quickly at her face, wiping her eyes. Her face was immediately flush.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You disappear. Not a word. Nothing. And, married?” She furrowed her brow, “And you </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">never</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> hang up on someone. There is nothing more rude. How could you? How could you do this to me?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I could see the layers unravelling, but I had to wait for her mind to slow down. She paced in circles in front of us, coming to grips with the revelations.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Blanka. There is a lot to this. It wasn’t exactly in the plan.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She eyed Oksana, wearing a scowl. She looked down at herself, then back to Oksana. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yeah, I see. I get it.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I clenched my teeth in aggravation.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Do you? What about </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">this</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> do you think is about </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">you?</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She looked sourly at me and folded her arms aggressively.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I looked to Oksana, whose eyes appeared filled with concern. They darted between us with a question.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“This is Blanka.” I held a hand up for height, then raised it higher and motioned down again, “Angelica’s daughter.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She squinted and her nostrils flared, she nodded in recognition.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Blanka, this is Oksana.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka gave a scoffing laugh.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You don’t even speak the same language?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s a very, very long story. One I wouldn’t mind talking about over drinks.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh. That’s why you were asking about Beryat.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka looked directly at Oksana and let out a tear of words.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oksana, put her hand to her mouth to stifle a chuckle, then failed, erupting into laughter. She looked to Blanka and rapidly responded in Beryat. Wiping the mirth from her eyes.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka deflated at the response. Her eyebrows drew together in response. Then she looked at me.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“About those drinks?” I insisted again.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She nodded, sullenly.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“20:00, Mausfal?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Sure.” She said, then added, “And, fuck you, Bani.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I grimaced. She turned away, her shoulders hanging low. She picked up the bicycle and began walking to the gates.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This may take some time.</span></p></span>Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435808207395330499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526285455094698909.post-7546663296519023382020-08-21T19:01:00.001-07:002020-08-21T19:01:24.267-07:00Report - The Hunter’s Bond - Part 2<p> <span style="font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">Detail:</span></p><div data-draftjs-conductor-fragment="{"blocks":[{"key":"5c126","text":"Detail:","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[{"offset":0,"length":7,"style":"BOLD"}],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"efjj1","text":"<Continued from previous entry>","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"9v35c","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"eennl","text":"I bowed my head and nodded. Accepting Ursi’s offer.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"2e9j0","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"3poul","text":"He clapped a hand on my shoulder.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"9do0d","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"8cjf8","text":"“We will make preparations.” He said simply.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"atgid","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"bam9f","text":"The circle erupted with applause, hoots, and howls. The response was deafening and I trembled with a resurgence of adrenaline. The circle closed in around me, tugging on my hands, patting on my shoulders, embracing, kissing, groping. I was floating in a sea of affection until Ursi parted the waters with his words.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"d9o8t","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"3e06u","text":"“The bride. Where is she?”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"d3ghk","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"cke32","text":"I felt a lancing panic that struck to my core. I looked up and the youths from earlier were there. They were smiling along with the rest. I eyed them and shook my head emphatically. Babik picked up on my wariness immediately.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"35n6m","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"3hm1p","text":"“I will go with them. My friend. We will retrieve your bride. I will retrieve your bride.”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[{"offset":62,"length":1,"style":"ITALIC"}],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"1ir56","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"2tp1o","text":"Each time they said the word “bride”, it struck against my reason like a smith’s hammer.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"75fg4","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"efpsd","text":"“I should go. I should go.”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"a07rm","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"1sqhe","text":"“It wouldn’t be proper that you see your bride before you are to be married.” Babik stated plainly.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"8qffo","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"e2s5u","text":"I rolled my eyes.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"5dgku","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"erc3g","text":"Stupid traditions.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[{"offset":0,"length":18,"style":"ITALIC"}],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"f85a8","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"44p8s","text":"“She-. She is at the Jagdhaus. She is under the care of a woman named Kostanza. Tell her that Bani Elkind sent you.” I said, hoping that it was enough, “Oksana will respond to Amelie. Call her, she will come. She’s a good dog.”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"10lhv","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"3p7c","text":"That sounded so very wrong.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[{"offset":0,"length":27,"style":"ITALIC"}],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"1kpas","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"1mq5a","text":"I shook myself at the words. I was in a daze. I looked up at the two young men and Babik. I raised a fist and produced an emphatic rude gesture at the older of the two men. Babik burst out laughing. The younger of the two joined in with Babik. The older one looked a little hurt, but then smirked as well, recognizing the recent turnabout. They turned and left the circle together.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"hk2m","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"eimhr","text":"I was a stone in the babbling brook now. Preparations blossomed around me. Ursi stood close.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"ah73i","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"bjf7d","text":"“So, G-man. What is this organization you belong to?”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"5asum","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"d215g","text":"“Nachtrichter. We are the Night Watch.”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"76i7h","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"3p92d","text":"I thumbed at the badge from my belt and I handed it to Ursi.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"1068g","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"dnri9","text":"“Your symbol is a wolf’s head?”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"4v7sr","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"3ha3t","text":"The belly laugh erupted again. The camp quieted briefly at his response.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"d8et1","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"2ovuv","text":"“How very fitting,” he brushed the mirth from his cheeks as he spoke, “You are not from here. Yes? Your accent is Burgundian?”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"1prub","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"1m7c8","text":"“Yes. That’s where we will go after this.”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"3pfr4","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"4dgoc","text":"“Realize that you will be a part of our family, as well. You will always have a home with the Kalderari.”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[{"offset":36,"length":3,"style":"ITALIC"}],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"9dl05","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"1kkif","text":"I furrowed my brow with the thought.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"i81p","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"5d9ra","text":"“How could I show anyone? How would they even know?”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"58v74","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"dckl7","text":"He inclined his head, toward the woman who orchestrated the pat down. She had been moving among the others, blending in, but her eyes were always on Ursi. Ever watchful. She’d be just as devastating as the hulking woman I encountered earlier. Invisible behind a smile and a swirl of colorful silks. The best bodyguard you could ask for.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"3tno1","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"547bv","text":"She moved purposefully forward and offered me a braided necklace with glass and ceramic colored beads.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"8va8n","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"et6g4","text":"“This is temporary. We will have one made for you and your bride, as is tradition, when you join the family.” He glanced at the woman in colored silks, desire lining his features, then turned back to me, “These are strange times, Bani. You are well aligned with our cause, especially now. I expect you will be an agent of change for your brothers and sisters.”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"3ghbu","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"bt6pq","text":"I tilted my head at the comment with a bewildered smile. I looked around. Realizing that I was the one being adopted into the tribe. My marriage to Oksana, who was considered the outsider, would bring her into the family.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[{"offset":201,"length":4,"style":"ITALIC"}],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"2m7qu","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"28oi5","text":"“There are ways, then. Ways that we can find a compromise within your traditions?” I said, nodding my head.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"eg5q5","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"2l94n","text":"He gave a wry smile, but revealed nothing more. He lifted a hand and waved to a group with instruments gathered at the edge of the circle. Music erupted and there was a joyful quickstep that happened among the preparations. I pulled my jacket off and tossed it over Babik’s own, further burying my weapons.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"1p52t","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"4hdcu","text":"Once Ursi left my company, others gathered around me, wishing me well, shaking hands, embracing. The large woman returned and gripped me around the middle, hugging me off the ground and popping my back in a few places in the process. She had a wide smile showing that several teeth were missing, most likely from fights.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"dcnhb","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"antis","text":"I took the affection in stride. Finding my place amongst my new family.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"3ll02","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"qrr5","text":"Lights swept across the trees and through the wagons. I looked toward the road in anticipation and was nearly clobbered by a cluster of attending elderly ladies as they turned me away from the sight.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"6s0ti","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"58jt4","text":"Men beckoned me over to the fireside and poured me a drink of densely fortifying wine. It was a heady experience on my empty stomach. They brought the tray of meats, cheeses, nuts, and bread to me first, as a guest of honor, I assumed. I took what I recognized and savored their skillful preparation. I cleared a tray or two just to keep myself from slipping into a drunken stupor too quickly. The remaining trays began circulating their way through the camp. Another tray arrived with what looked like small sugar-spun candies placed in neat rows was brought to me. I waved it off and they scoffed at me. I watched others consume them, their faces flushed red, eyes dilating. I watched closely, recognizing the same series of responses that Blanka went through when casting.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"cj08","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"76lm0","text":"Those might be worth investigating?","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[{"offset":0,"length":35,"style":"ITALIC"}],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"2ac06","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"6ehta","text":"There was a trilling sound, and the woman wrapped in colorful silks emerged again, this time with metal cymbals on her fingers, announcing attention. At the foot of the grand wagon was Ursi with the well worn tome. The woman spun around him, clacking the cymbals rhythmically until the camp quieted down to a low murmur of voices.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"cpdjj","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"edq0m","text":"The woman produced a tambourine and stepped up with the band rattling with diminishing intensity. Ursi raised his voice.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"49udi","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"cd98c","text":"“We welcome a brother and a sister to our tribe. Their union bonds them to us. As family, they come to our aid as we will come to theirs. As family, they will protect as we will protect them. As family, this bond is beyond blood, it is a bond of the soul.”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"5hsj7","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"64fkp","text":"Ursi lifted a hand and waved me forward. One of the men on the side flagged me forward, giving me direction as to where to stand. Ursi then inclined his head, looking to the back of the crowd, a cluster of women emerged leading a woman forward who wore a delightfully loud dress, hair pulled into dark braids, bundled in spirals at the sides of her head. Her crystal blue eyes were full of a bewilderment.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"d218p","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"9sg2s","text":"My heart climbed into my throat as I recognized Oksana.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"1k2ck","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"5ralv","text":"One of the older women escorting her wasn’t pleased with Oksana not enjoying herself. She grabbed two of the spun sugar candies and pushed them in her mouth. She braced briefly then flushed, her pupils dilating and a gentle calm seemed to spread over her.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"c9tnb","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"2noip","text":"She locked eyes with me, and smiled in recognition, blinking dreamily. I returned the smile, feeling my eyes brimming with her attention. I felt love. I inhaled at the experience, taking in the chaos around me. This was the nobility I didn’t mind being a part of. I fully embraced the experience.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[{"offset":140,"length":5,"style":"ITALIC"}],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"akn6k","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"19h41","text":"Ursi began to speak in a language I did not understand. It had sounds from Gaulic, Beryant, and Alaman, but none of it formed words I recognized. He motioned for our hands, the women surrounding Oksana lifted her hand. He looked to me and I started raising my hand.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"5s65t","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"9ojch","text":"“No. You must choose someone to help you lift that burden.” Ursi said, nodding toward my hand.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"d2foo","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"2r62g","text":"I looked through the crowd and saw Babik the Peddler. I motioned him over with a bob of my head. A big grin spread across his face and he hobbled over. The numerous women were holding Oksana’s hand up, Babik took my arm by the wrist and put it under Oksana’s palm. He held it in place. There were tears in the old man’s eyes balancing against the ever widening smile.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"11upp","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"bnf4b","text":"Thick silk ribbons of different colors were tied around our wrists. Ursi then looked to me, still speaking in a language I couldn’t understand. He stopped on what sounded like a question, paused, looking intently at me. It took a moment to sink in.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"5ft8j","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"m9dl","text":"“I … do.” I said, nodding in acknowledgement.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"5r7c6","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"3kp8s","text":"Ursi grinned and winked. Babik’s grasp dropped away, he bowed and retreated back to the edge of the circle.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"7cea","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"46gra","text":"Ursi then turned toward Oksana, whatever the spun sugar had done to her had worn off, but her smile wasn’t fading. She was brightly aware, her eyes wide. Her bewilderment was a happy bewilderment. He paused and looked at her.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"bfo7r","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"c6hjm","text":"Oksana then looked to me for guidance. I met her crystal blue eyes. They were unsure. A confused, almost impish smile moved across her face. She said something in Beryat, then she gave me that unpracticed shrug. I bent with a laugh.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"fdfl7","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"23gvo","text":"“I do.” I said, clearly mouthing the words to her, then nodding toward Ursi.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"fueue","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"62s77","text":"She turned toward Ursi, blinking lightly.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"ejo3q","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"c3bsc","text":"“I do.” She echoed it perfectly.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"49ve0","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"79t3t","text":"The moment stirred in me. The potentials echoed out from her words. I watched as the women’s hands fell away as they retreated. I looked at the ribbons that bonded us together. Everything slowed as my gaze moved back to Oksana who was intently looking at Ursi. I could hear my heart beating in my chest, but also, I could hear her heartbeat. I knew, it was hers, like recognizing something in a dream. I could hear Ursi speaking, but my eyes remained on Oksana.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"ddprj","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"bgl4g","text":"Cheers erupted around us and the world sped up again. Oksana looked at me, bouncing up and down like she’d won a prize. I pulled her into an embrace. She leaned into me and pressed an aggressive, unpracticed kiss on me. Her eyes were moving all around the chaos. Her wide smile looked permanent. Her vibrance was stunning.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"1m3ls","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"fe38g","text":"Music started playing and everyone pointed at us. Our hands were still bound. I looked around for guidance.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"fl0l2","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"4pj3a","text":"“Dance with her!” Babik called out from the edge of the circle.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"fkfku","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"bhsfo","text":"Without hesitation, I faced her and cupped my arm around her waist. We bounded around the circle. She had no sense of rhythm, so it was mostly bouncing in time with the music as best we could. After a moment, she recognized that I was attempting to follow the beat of the tambourine and leaned into it.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"anhah","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"4gmok","text":"After the dance, Babik and the cluster of women came out and untied the ribbons, freeing our hands. One of the women gathered the ribbons and departed.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"aeqqq","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"15a70","text":"Faces emerged from the crowd, taking their turns dancing with either of us. Oksana kept moving back to me, taking me for another loop around the circle then breaking away to another dance partner. Her smile shone brightly in the firelight.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"a4frb","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"91tmc","text":"The night continued at a fervent pace. I did my best to keep up with the festivities. Ursi and the woman dressed in silks often disappeared during the festivities. This latest time, his pants were clearly undone.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"dm4ib","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"7plmk","text":"“It is time!” He called out, raising his hands in our direction, “Take them to their room!”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"29qq5","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"f7q1l","text":"We were swept away into a procession across camp, led to the entrance of a well adorned wagon likely decorated for this occasion. I stood with a smirk, my disbelief catching up with me.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"564n7","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"6pf97","text":"Oksana stepped to the stairs, then turned toward me and tilted her head, her wide smile stuck permanently in place. She reached out her hand. I grinned, moving past her hand, scooping her up in my arms, and climbing the stairs into the wagon. Cheers erupted behind us. After a moment of negotiation, I was able to navigate the dress and her head unharmed through the doorway. I set her down inside. She let out a light tittering laugh, her smiling face rosey with a deep blush. Tears leaked out the sides of her eyes.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"c12ll","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"f788e","text":"She gazed at me, emotion touching her brow, and spoke.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"8ufsp","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"fo9g1","text":"“Yesli eto son, ya nadeyus' umeret' do togo, kak prosnus'.”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"4m2g0","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"fbqte","text":"I smiled at her and shrugged, then pulled her close and kissed her passionately. Another cheer erupted from the audience. I released her and moved to just inside the threshold, stooping forward to look out on all the smiling faces in the low light. I kissed my hand and waved outward with a flourish, then clenched my fist and held it to my chest, above my heart. Emotions welled through constant cheers. I bowed into the wagon, closing the door behind me.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"6ldrv","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"22ojd","text":"Oksana was wrestling with the bulky dress and looked at me with a sort of panic.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"3vuaa","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"u9nq","text":"“Pomogi mne.” She said, turning her back toward me, then pointing at the dress emphatically.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"b67nh","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"s2g5","text":"There was a series of clasps, ties, and buttons. Some of the ties and buttons required participation from the bride herself. The final test was a chastity dress put together like a cooperative puzzle box. ","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"3044p","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"3a8fc","text":"“Oh, this is just cruel.” I said with a chuckle.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"7b0jg","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"6sulk","text":"The first few buttons were easy, then I tugged at a string that went around to the front of the dress. She recognized the string as I pulled and patted herself down.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"5i346","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"dgof3","text":"“Da, da.” She nodded quickly and fiddled with the front of her dress pulling at the ties until the strings loosened.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"84q7a","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"blh03","text":"I was able to continue. Sweat soaked the interior of the dress as we worked through the puzzle. Interior buttons holding the dress together required me to slip my hands up against her bare skin to release them.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"408di","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"8hq6e","text":"I recognized that the puzzle was less of a test, and more of a lesson in intimacy. As the back parted with each button. Clasps needed to be released from around her breasts. Her breath shuddered with my touch. I slowed my progress, revelling in the amorous moment. Another pull of a string that clung tightly around her hips and she led my hand from outside the dress to another knot, sitting just above her navel. The knot released and the dress fell away. I let my hand remain, pulling her close to me, smelling her hair; perfumes mingled with sweat and campfire. Goosebumps ran over her body.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"8b6ug","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"85oih","text":"I could feel every rib under my touch and was reminded of the condition I found her in. Half starved, completely alone, and hunted.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"br5ef","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"bcnc3","text":"Not anymore.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[{"offset":0,"length":12,"style":"ITALIC"}],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"ek0at","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"bqls","text":"Oksana shook herself from the momentary daze and spun around quickly, looking at my clothes as an inconvenience. She started pulling at my shirt buttons, then belt. I held up my hands trying to express that I could remove my own clothes. She batted my hands away, in the thin lamplight of the wagon, I saw that impish look and wry smile.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"e5rlo","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"ef006","text":"After a moment of study, she deftly negotiated the buttons and belt. While my clothes were more straightforward, she did not spare her touch.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"5sqq6","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"c4kba","text":"She moved backwards toward the bed clutching my hands. The bed itself was layers of brightly colored fabrics filled with stuffing, acting as a makeshift mattress made from misshapen pillows. The heat of the wagon didn’t warrant the need to use blankets, but there were some closeby. It was clear that this shelter had not been arranged for sleeping.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"dt14o","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"4o3j8","text":"She laid back, pulling me toward her. She was anxious, trembling.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"c1hs6","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"5m077","text":"“YA ne mogu v eto poverit'. Boyus' v eto poverit'.”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"43rrv","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"8nkhp","text":"She spoke the flurry of Beryat in a fervent whisper, her eyes shifting back and forth as she looked in my eyes. I saw her anxiety and calmly put my hand on the side of her face. She leaned into it, closing her eyes, wetting it with tears.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"4tqjh","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"7cbdj","text":"Sparks flew through the night. There were moments, in the heat of passion, where her other nature showed through: lengthened teeth, bristling hair along her back, and predator’s shine to her eyes. I was reminded of her animal core, but I did not fear her. Eventually exhaustion took hold of both of us and we lay still in a naked embrace.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"8lcr7","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"357t","text":"The late morning light hit a colorful stained glass window. The heat from the sun made sweat stand out on my body. I was already dehydrated and needed to find a tree or bathroom in short order. Thirst was cruel when coupled with the need to urinate.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"pgjd","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"8ofj9","text":"I watched Oksana’s placid face in the scintillating colors from the stained glass. A deep calm smoothed her features; her breaths were deep and even. I lifted her arm from around me, and slipped from the tangled bed. She remained asleep as I tugged my pants on. With this urgency, there was no time for shoes or a shirt.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"91iog","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"b3ep1","text":"I exited the wagon. The cool moisture of the mid-morning air hit me bracingly. Goosebumps covered my torso as I moved quickly toward the edge of the forest. As I crossed the camp, there were congratulatory nods, but the camp was respectfully quiet as they went about the chores.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"3io9s","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"kt5n","text":"After taking care of business, I returned to the camp, revelling in the smell of the campfire smoke that rose around me. I looked at the close forest, then around to the rustic smattering of wagons. I had a new respect for the Kalderari, this family I’d joined. The outpouring of love over the last night, alone, was far more than I’d experienced from the many years I was joined to Cassandra’s family.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"53euo","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"8rmah","text":"And there was no way in hell she’d be caught in a place like this.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[{"offset":0,"length":66,"style":"ITALIC"}],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"ecuoa","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"8kb5t","text":"I grinned at the discards: spent wooden plates, metal utensils, and husks of meat, cheese, and bread scattered through the common area. Children were dutifully cleaning up the mess, interspersed with games of tag or wrestling in the dew soaked grass. It would take them a while, but they were having fun doing it.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"dr4s7","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"1r9d6","text":"I checked the table where I had disarmed myself, but my coat, Babik’s coat, and all of the implements had been whisked away, even the table had been repurposed for dining purposes. I flagged at one of the men who was just finishing up a late breakfast.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"a5g1u","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"cudt4","text":"“Water?” I asked with a catch in my throat, it was the first time I’d spoken this morning.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"ce30j","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"4csjs","text":"He recognized me and smiled, nodding his congratulations. He offered a sweating metal pitcher and waved for me to keep it. I turned the spout on myself and drank deeply, feeling the chill trickle through my core. A headache I didn’t know I had responded sharply then ebbed into the background.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"8mg5","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"egk4t","text":"I returned with the pitcher to my bride. She was sitting up, looking concerned when I first opened the wagon door. Her smile reappeared and her eyes brightened as she saw me. I moved toward her and sat next to her on the bed, handing her the pitcher. She gulped twice, then looked to have the same urgency that I had earlier.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"f018a","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"8bu25","text":"“Wait a moment. I’ll be back.” I said, holding up a finger.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"58hvg","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"bj52k","text":"I moved back out, leaving the door slightly ajar. This time I’d retrieved my shirt from the floor and buttoned it as I navigated barefoot through the wet grass. I moved to Babik’s trailer. He was outside with the small boy fetching implements and boiling water. His eyes were a little bleary. When he saw me he smiled widely with a row of crooked teeth.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"63v61","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"ar3e2","text":"“I hate to ask for more, Babik. She needs a bathroom and clothes. I am pretty sure that the wedding dress requires an expert to get back into.”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"3njad","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"9jd3k","text":"He laughed heartily, then his eyes followed something behind me and laughed again, I looked back to see what it was and a dark loping hound made its way into the forest. I turned back with a weak smile, feeling suddenly lightheaded.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"c5ko4","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"4c3m","text":"This life is going to be strange.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[{"offset":0,"length":33,"style":"ITALIC"}],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"1ejmr","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"b7kpn","text":"“Well, just clothes then.”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"3dvp1","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"gs23","text":"He nodded.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"eu4j3","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"b2boq","text":"“And breakfast, yes?”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"e3khd","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"993id","text":"“Yes, please!”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"blt95","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"9o6fn","text":"I rubbed at the sides of my head. The headache would come and go.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"1kup2","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"2lm0j","text":"“There’s a question, Babik. And I don’t know how to answer it.”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"8fj4j","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"e1l0s","text":"He looked at me thoughtfully.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"a326v","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"84kbl","text":"“Her nature... her gift... Uh, her ‘condition’... how, uh, contagious is it? Should I be worried?”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"9m5eh","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"b8ri","text":"He gave me a sidelong glance with a wry smile.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"868tm","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"2g4d9","text":"“You mean?” he glanced down on my crotch then back to my eyes.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"ekn1m","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"9qbmq","text":"“Well, yeah. For one.”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"4v2vs","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"cnqgs","text":"“No, my friend, you’ll be fine. She didn’t bite you, yes?”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"7h4k9","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"3q41v","text":"“Oh, no. Nothing like that.”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"a0gq1","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"3mu3b","text":"“Not all can give the gift to someone else. You may never know, or have the chance to find out. But, your children? That is something to consider.”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"4va71","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"2lkqm","text":"Children.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[{"offset":0,"length":9,"style":"ITALIC"}],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"dlpf7","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"d7cca","text":"“I’ll keep that in mind. If it comes to that.”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"1ijkg","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"8lpug","text":"He nodded.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"fn51g","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"f7jnt","text":"“As for clothes? Follow me. My niece may be able to surrender some of her clothes.”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"855tr","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"919np","text":"As we walked through the camp, Babik opened up.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"e2igr","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"7anhk","text":"“You have given me credibility in this place. Something that I’ve never had. I didn’t deserve it, truly, but now having it makes me want to honor it.” He looked up as he shuffled alongside me, “You bring out a good in people. Even in me. It was a good I didn’t know I had. I have never seen someone do what you did last night and I don’t think I ever will again.”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"427n3","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"fa98t","text":"He put his hand on my shoulder, pulling himself up a little, and then patted it heavily. We rounded the corner to another wagon. He rapped on the door and announced himself. Heated words were exchanged from the far side of the door. He responded kindly, bobbing his head along, letting the rapid fire of a young woman’s words wash over him.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"42d4j","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"4acvt","text":"The door opened quickly and a blur of a colorful dress smacked Babik in the face.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"bmn0b","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"4ojt7","text":"He responded with something that was intoned like a “thank you”. Then pulled the dress from his face and handed the bundle to me.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"84n2a","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"eg2p","text":"“Shoes?” I asked.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"301d9","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"291q6","text":"He looked around and saw bulky, black lace up boots hanging from the side of the wagon. He grabbed them and handed them to me, shrugging, as he walked past me back toward his wagon.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"bggmm","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"76stf","text":"“I’ll get some breakfast started, if you’d like to join the lad and I?”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"241k1","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"fku8l","text":"I nodded at the invitation.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"2qrpl","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"dov5s","text":"Oksana was removing grass and drying the dew from her legs when I returned. She immediately stood, naked, as I moved into the wagon. She moved forward, putting her hand behind my head, then drew me in for a kiss. It was calm; peaceful, even. Her crystal blue eyes looked into mine, dancing back and forth between both, down to my mouth, and then back up.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"f3mqc","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"bqsbr","text":"“Pust' eta mechta nikogda ne zakonchitsya.”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"57pc8","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"24nb1","text":"Oksana stood on her tiptoes and pulled me in again for another kiss, then retreated with a smile. I reveled in the moment. ","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"f3jet","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"cpbes","text":"I am not looking forward to learning Beryat.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[{"offset":0,"length":5,"style":"ITALIC"},{"offset":9,"length":35,"style":"ITALIC"}],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"di0e","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"99fvg","text":"Then realized what I had in my hands. I held out the dress and handed her the black boots. She busied herself with getting dressed.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"feeha","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"6a1om","text":"The dress fit well, it hung loosely around her chest and torso, but it was the right length. She swayed back and forth, watching the colorful dress catch the air. She plopped down on the edge of the bed and tugged on the boots. She inspected the laces and her brow furrowed.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"57bg7","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"6atm","text":"“Sdelay eto. YA budu smotret'.”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"d95ib","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"3ivej","text":"She thrust out her right booted foot and pointed at it, moving her hands in a tugging gesture.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"fquk8","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"e59r","text":"I moved up, putting the sole of the boot against my chest then went through the motions of tying her boot. She was intensely focused on the process then gave a single nod as I completed the bow.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"lcn9","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"8ha01","text":"She lifted her other foot and inspected the threads and tied the knot in a mirror image of what I tied.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"8r6na","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"a2og9","text":"“Pravil'nost'!” She said firmly.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"dfo2n","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"at3cv","text":"Chills ran up my spine as I looked up at her. She flushed at my recognition, then tilted her head with a wide smile. I stood and extended my hands to her, she took them and I lifted her from the bed. The boots clomped against the floor and she stomped in them, getting used to the weight. She didn’t look exactly pleased, but there was a certain joy in the experience.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"cdmr9","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"ctsnt","text":"I looked around the wagon, making sure I hadn’t left anything behind. It was a reminder of how strange the last two days had been.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"6lolt","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"66ume","text":"We joined Babik for breakfast. He presented a rustic wooden box and lifted the lid. The “anytool” sat in the box. In its inert form it remained a lump of clay. There was a paper with a list of words and their pronunciations showing the different forms that it could turn into. I was thrilled when I saw it the first time, this was where our bond started. It was something that he had planned to sell me for a considerable amount only two days ago.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"1b4vc","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"8kk47","text":"“It’s a wedding gift.” Then he grimaced, “A wedding discount. I still need to put food on the table.”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[{"offset":52,"length":8,"style":"ITALIC"}],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"4a7rh","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"8j0sa","text":"“I am good for it, Babik.” I pulled a wad of Lyra, overpaying his discounted price by a fair amount.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"2v6vn","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"84ghi","text":"“You are too good, my brother.” He smiled then remembered with an exclamation, “Your coat and weapons!”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"3uclj","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"n6a3","text":"A few rapid fire words to the boy and he moved off.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"8eanp","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"9h09g","text":"“You will want to speak with Ursi before you go. You left an impression. Be aware that impressions also bring expectations. You made a lot of promises last night. Be sure to remember them.”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"4d82g","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"5i6lp","text":"I nodded, acknowledging his insight.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"1708c","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"3p5hq","text":"The boy brought back my bundle of weapons. I dutifully strapped the leathers back into place. Babik respectfully looked on me as I inspected each weapon and holstered them. I finally snapped the whip back into place in the small of my back.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"4p13q","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"652ka","text":"“I am glad it didn’t come to that.” He said, looking upon the proceedings in a daze.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"1n210","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"ehdal","text":"“Believe me, I am, too.” I said.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"70kkp","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"62iun","text":"Oksana and I moved to the central campfire.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"5jil6","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"eg6s3","text":"“I request an audience with the King.” I said, bowing at the waist.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"qu9r","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"2m9sv","text":"I waited a moment, and the woman who was both bodyguard and consort to the King emerged, wearing a far more demure set of silks: pale green and black. The presentation was more direct, less flowery. She instantly recognized that I was fully armed and stood directly before me, bristling. Oksana reacted to her reaction, but I put my hand out to calm both of them. I nodded to the king’s consort apologetically.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"80o97","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"bgk0o","text":"“Love, we are brothers bound at the soul.” He said, descending the stairs, “I know his heart and his mind.”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"7456i","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"eqk0i","text":"The woman looked unsure, stepping to the side opposite of Oksana, but still remaining very close. I respected her instincts. Bjorn would have done exactly the same.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"72ech","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"bqrpi","text":"The king moved right in with a grappling hug, pinning both my arms briefly. He released, stepped back, and patted both shoulders, his hazy eyes wandering close to my own, but still not quite locking in.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"d08tk","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"7aaa7","text":"“I would offer words of advice, but I don’t think you need it. Mr. Elkind. The G-man.” He grinned, looking bit weary from the events himself.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"5g03n","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"a76sp","text":"He patted at his neck, looking in the direction of his guardian. Her brow furrowed briefly and she glanced sidelong at me, then departed.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"6rv09","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"4450l","text":"He waved Oksana in closer and put his hands on both of our shoulders.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"ae2hk","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"18l9i","text":"“I expect to hear from you. From both of you. There’s a long journey ahead, I expect you will take it in stride.”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[{"offset":33,"length":5,"style":"ITALIC"}],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"3jo3d","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"el72f","text":"The woman returned with an ornately crafted box closed with a metal clasp. She opened the clasp and held the box open toward Ursi. He retrieved a braided necklace, without looking at it and held it in front of me.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"5g2fh","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"comqk","text":"“This is yours, Bani. Made from the silken threads of your union. You will be known by this necklace to other Kalderari. These red beads, they represent courage. One means great courage. We have given you three. The black beads mean secret, obscured. You are of the Night Watch. And the silver,” He paused briefly, “This is an unusual addition for us. I don’t believe it has ever been defined, much less used. I requested it because it reminded me of you. It’ll make an impression on whoever sees it.”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[{"offset":162,"length":4,"style":"ITALIC"},{"offset":205,"length":5,"style":"ITALIC"}],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"9jbrg","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"b4ln2","text":"Ursi placed the necklace over my head and adjusted it so that the three bold red beads stood in front. He shook his head with a chuckle.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"56knr","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"dl6n8","text":"“Oksana.” He lifted the other necklace from the box without looking, “Precious child. It would have been a great loss if Bani had not accepted the requirements of tradition.”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"ep10g","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"crpi5","text":"His eyes glazed momentarily with emotion. I clenched my jaw, keeping my own in check.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"cvhk3","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"900hl","text":"“These clear glass beads with a hint of blue, they are your eyes, they show clarity, intelligence, and understanding. They are surrounded by colorless glass beads, your past has been erased, and your future is open to you. These clear glass beads with a hint of yellow are the sunlight that shines through you. A joy that has always wanted to come out.”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"5r9d4","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"7cdrl","text":"He fingered one remaining bead.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"1l8ts","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"1vgr4","text":"“This is unknown. Onyx.” He paused while he held it then shook his head then continued, “It belongs here, but I can’t yet see why.”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"8b20p","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"4rkcj","text":"His face was pensive for a moment as he placed the necklace over Oksana’s head, then a smile creased his lips.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"ajv6o","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"5p3r3","text":"‘It’s time for you to go home.”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"eoii6","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"8kq1e","text":"I moved in and hugged the man. His consort bristled again, eyes narrowing. Oksana lit up and hugged Ursi as well.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"8gh0n","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"632g2","text":"Ursi’s consort approached with the box after he retreated and handed the box to Oksana. She stepped forward and whispered in her ear. Oksana, took a deep breath and looked at the box in her hand. She then turned to me with bright eyes and a smile.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"d9gne","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"2286l","text":"She turned to speak to both of us.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"4n2gt","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"atq05","text":"“When the time comes, take this to the wise woman at any Kalderari camp. She will know what to do.” Her voice was husky and low, she allowed a slight smile and tipped her head forward then added, “Hunt well.”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"7fv6l","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"3q01f","text":"There was too much to process at the moment. I bowed away taking Oksana’s hand and weaving my way through the wagons. As we approached the edge closest to the road, I realized that this was where the rest of the camp had gone. A line of parked cars stretched out along the lane. The foot traffic responded to the calling out of wares, demonstrations of blades, and the clank of pots and pans. Performers plucked away at stringed instruments. I marveled at the different worlds of the Kalderari. The one that faced inward, and the one that faced everyone else.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"a7uuh","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"1kt25","text":"I sat on the motorcycle, kicking back the stand, and bearing down on the kickstart. The engine cackled to life and the sweet smell of bluegas exhaust eddied around us. I looked back at Oksana and waved her forward. She hiked up the dress and straddled the seat behind me. She pulled in close. I felt her warmth fold in around me. I pulled both of her wrists forward, bringing her hands together to interlock around my waist. She clung tight as I slowly took off. My own inexperience was even more of a concern now.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"aq8ns","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"11pkl","text":"The first stop was the Jagdhaus to retrieve the sidecar and settle any affairs. Oksana watched as I backed the bike up to the hitch that connected the motorcycle to the sidecar. She grimaced at the sidecar itself and looked at me.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"c8d86","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"8jg56","text":"She wasn’t going to be happy with what I’m going to ask her to do when we got close to the border.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[{"offset":0,"length":98,"style":"ITALIC"}],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"5dj0o","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"dth8k","text":"She remained on the back of the motorcycle instead of taking a place in the sidecar. I cherished the feeling of her close to me. Her eyes marveled at the passing countryside. We headed South down the highway, winding down roads for hours. The sun was high in the sky when we pulled off to a secluded spot in a small copse of trees.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"cgu1g","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"dmmhf","text":"Oksana furrowed her brow as I pulled out the phrasebook. She’d begun associating it with me asking her things she didn’t want to do. She waited patiently as we rested in the shade of the trees.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"57kg4","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"1pkpf","text":"I did my best to explain that we needed to cross the border and she had to be ‘Amelie’ to do so. Her face held some disappointment, but more annoyance. She crossed her arms. Her pale blue eyes locked with mine and she nodded. Oksana bent, a gasp of pain escaped as her clothes loosened around her. The pale eyed hound emerged, looking up at me, head tilted. I smiled at her and opened the cover of the sidecar. I picked up the clothes and put them in the duffel then pushed it into the footwell. I removed all of my weapons, putting them into the sidecar. I’d rather not attract any unnecessary attention. I made sure my papers were in my riding jacket.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"5jkhg","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"c3vb3","text":"I patted the seat and she readily hopped in. She sat with her head rising just above the lip of the sidecar. I started the motorcycle and merged back onto the road a few kilometers from the border crossing. It was only moments before I saw Amelie’s tongue lolling out in a dog’s grin as the wind swept around her.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"1010h","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"d1ilg","text":"I smiled in spite of myself. In spite of everything.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"38rr3","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"bg5l8","text":"The border was uneventful, normal paperwork sufficed for crossing over. Another half hour and we had arrived at Oberisk. The familiar streets, the old bridge, hotel, and small side streets. I could hear the whistle of trains at the station. No airship was currently docked.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"2h0v3","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"fi8tk","text":"I wove through the familiar streets and parked at my apartment. I beckoned the hound and pulled my gear from the sidecar. The door unlocked easily and we pressed in. I moved toward the flight of stairs, but the hound was intent on investigating, nose busily sniffing the air. The indecision whether to follow me or follow her instincts was clear. I clicked my tongue to make that decision a little easier. We climbed to my apartment—our apartment—and I held the door. She trotted in, scenting the furniture and rugs. I dropped my duffel and shut the door behind us.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[{"offset":433,"length":3,"style":"ITALIC"}],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"m2od","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"d6r3o","text":"“Oksana. This is home.”","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"cpkd0","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"epea3","text":"She looked up at me. I motioned my hands up and she took the cue, I heard the uncomfortable sounds of change. Her face grimaced with the effort, she blinked a few times then smiled as the fog of her hound form faded from her.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"49t5d","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"12dkj","text":"I reached toward her and she responded by tackling me with a kiss.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}}],"entityMap":{}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="65r76-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="65r76-0-0"><span data-offset-key="65r76-0-0"><Continued from previous entry></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="at908-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="at908-0-0"><span data-offset-key="at908-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="1urtt-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1urtt-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1urtt-0-0">I bowed my head and nodded. Accepting Ursi’s offer.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="d0or6-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="d0or6-0-0"><span data-offset-key="d0or6-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="207ar-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="207ar-0-0"><span data-offset-key="207ar-0-0">He clapped a hand on my shoulder.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="auma8-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="auma8-0-0"><span data-offset-key="auma8-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="pptd-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="pptd-0-0"><span data-offset-key="pptd-0-0">“We will make preparations.” He said simply.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="d2njc-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="d2njc-0-0"><span data-offset-key="d2njc-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="624u1-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="624u1-0-0"><span data-offset-key="624u1-0-0">The circle erupted with applause, hoots, and howls. The response was deafening and I trembled with a resurgence of adrenaline. The circle closed in around me, tugging on my hands, patting on my shoulders, embracing, kissing, groping. I was floating in a sea of affection until Ursi parted the waters with his words.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="4km0j-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="4km0j-0-0"><span data-offset-key="4km0j-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="dlt03-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="dlt03-0-0"><span data-offset-key="dlt03-0-0">“The bride. Where is she?”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="2kr17-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="2kr17-0-0"><span data-offset-key="2kr17-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="mfun-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="mfun-0-0"><span data-offset-key="mfun-0-0">I felt a lancing panic that struck to my core. I looked up and the youths from earlier were there. They were smiling along with the rest. I eyed them and shook my head emphatically. Babik picked up on my wariness immediately.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="6cvj4-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6cvj4-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6cvj4-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="purm-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="purm-0-0"><span data-offset-key="purm-0-0">“I will go with them. My friend. We will retrieve your bride. </span><span data-offset-key="purm-0-1" style="font-style: italic;">I</span><span data-offset-key="purm-0-2"> will retrieve your bride.”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="c5jnt-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="c5jnt-0-0"><span data-offset-key="c5jnt-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="dp39k-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="dp39k-0-0"><span data-offset-key="dp39k-0-0">Each time they said the word “bride”, it struck against my reason like a smith’s hammer.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="6iafq-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6iafq-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6iafq-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="6dfuf-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6dfuf-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6dfuf-0-0">“I should go. I should go.”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="6coea-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6coea-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6coea-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="b48uv-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="b48uv-0-0"><span data-offset-key="b48uv-0-0">“It wouldn’t be proper that you see your bride before you are to be married.” Babik stated plainly.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="9o828-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="9o828-0-0"><span data-offset-key="9o828-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="1drsg-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1drsg-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1drsg-0-0">I rolled my eyes.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="ebrt8-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="ebrt8-0-0"><span data-offset-key="ebrt8-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="d4ouk-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="d4ouk-0-0"><span data-offset-key="d4ouk-0-0" style="font-style: italic;">Stupid traditions.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="b876-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="b876-0-0"><span data-offset-key="b876-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="bdjb0-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="bdjb0-0-0"><span data-offset-key="bdjb0-0-0">“She-. She is at the Jagdhaus. She is under the care of a woman named Kostanza. Tell her that Bani Elkind sent you.” I said, hoping that it was enough, “Oksana will respond to Amelie. Call her, she will come. She’s a good dog.”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="8bru4-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8bru4-0-0"><span data-offset-key="8bru4-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="3fpl0-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="3fpl0-0-0"><span data-offset-key="3fpl0-0-0" style="font-style: italic;">That sounded so very wrong.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="9kkhk-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="9kkhk-0-0"><span data-offset-key="9kkhk-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="1dk5p-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1dk5p-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1dk5p-0-0">I shook myself at the words. I was in a daze. I looked up at the two young men and Babik. I raised a fist and produced an emphatic rude gesture at the older of the two men. Babik burst out laughing. The younger of the two joined in with Babik. The older one looked a little hurt, but then smirked as well, recognizing the recent turnabout. They turned and left the circle together.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="8gudm-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8gudm-0-0"><span data-offset-key="8gudm-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="9dlvi-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="9dlvi-0-0"><span data-offset-key="9dlvi-0-0">I was a stone in the babbling brook now. Preparations blossomed around me. Ursi stood close.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="54q89-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="54q89-0-0"><span data-offset-key="54q89-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="8avrv-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8avrv-0-0"><span data-offset-key="8avrv-0-0">“So, G-man. What is this organization you belong to?”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="f3qpu-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="f3qpu-0-0"><span data-offset-key="f3qpu-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="9bij5-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="9bij5-0-0"><span data-offset-key="9bij5-0-0">“Nachtrichter. We are the Night Watch.”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="3t8hm-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="3t8hm-0-0"><span data-offset-key="3t8hm-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="cgj5i-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="cgj5i-0-0"><span data-offset-key="cgj5i-0-0">I thumbed at the badge from my belt and I handed it to Ursi.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="e64f-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="e64f-0-0"><span data-offset-key="e64f-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="d0mtc-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="d0mtc-0-0"><span data-offset-key="d0mtc-0-0">“Your symbol is a wolf’s head?”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="ktb9-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="ktb9-0-0"><span data-offset-key="ktb9-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="9uf7m-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="9uf7m-0-0"><span data-offset-key="9uf7m-0-0">The belly laugh erupted again. The camp quieted briefly at his response.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="a2hmk-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="a2hmk-0-0"><span data-offset-key="a2hmk-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="742ep-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="742ep-0-0"><span data-offset-key="742ep-0-0">“How very fitting,” he brushed the mirth from his cheeks as he spoke, “You are not from here. Yes? Your accent is Burgundian?”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="c8utg-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="c8utg-0-0"><span data-offset-key="c8utg-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="4hf29-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="4hf29-0-0"><span data-offset-key="4hf29-0-0">“Yes. That’s where we will go after this.”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="1c07h-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1c07h-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1c07h-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="61l0o-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="61l0o-0-0"><span data-offset-key="61l0o-0-0">“Realize that you will be a part of </span><span data-offset-key="61l0o-0-1" style="font-style: italic;">our</span><span data-offset-key="61l0o-0-2"> family, as well. You will always have a home with the Kalderari.”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="31amu-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="31amu-0-0"><span data-offset-key="31amu-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="1mq66-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1mq66-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1mq66-0-0">I furrowed my brow with the thought.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="6ppue-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6ppue-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6ppue-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="7dvag-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="7dvag-0-0"><span data-offset-key="7dvag-0-0">“How could I show anyone? How would they even know?”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="b4bu-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="b4bu-0-0"><span data-offset-key="b4bu-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="39tak-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="39tak-0-0"><span data-offset-key="39tak-0-0">He inclined his head, toward the woman who orchestrated the pat down. She had been moving among the others, blending in, but her eyes were always on Ursi. Ever watchful. She’d be just as devastating as the hulking woman I encountered earlier. Invisible behind a smile and a swirl of colorful silks. The best bodyguard you could ask for.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="cqhjl-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="cqhjl-0-0"><span data-offset-key="cqhjl-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="a1b9g-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="a1b9g-0-0"><span data-offset-key="a1b9g-0-0">She moved purposefully forward and offered me a braided necklace with glass and ceramic colored beads.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="3o7sq-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="3o7sq-0-0"><span data-offset-key="3o7sq-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="ep7m2-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="ep7m2-0-0"><span data-offset-key="ep7m2-0-0">“This is temporary. We will have one made for you and your bride, as is tradition, when you join the family.” He glanced at the woman in colored silks, desire lining his features, then turned back to me, “These are strange times, Bani. You are well aligned with our cause, especially now. I expect you will be an agent of change for your brothers and sisters.”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="2le19-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="2le19-0-0"><span data-offset-key="2le19-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="54jdh-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="54jdh-0-0"><span data-offset-key="54jdh-0-0">I tilted my head at the comment with a bewildered smile. I looked around. Realizing that I was the one being adopted into the tribe. My marriage to Oksana, who was considered the outsider, would bring </span><span data-offset-key="54jdh-0-1" style="font-style: italic;">her </span><span data-offset-key="54jdh-0-2">into the family.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="1m4eu-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1m4eu-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1m4eu-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="52a72-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="52a72-0-0"><span data-offset-key="52a72-0-0">“There are ways, then. Ways that we can find a compromise within your traditions?” I said, nodding my head.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="emdf9-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="emdf9-0-0"><span data-offset-key="emdf9-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="3lnl3-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="3lnl3-0-0"><span data-offset-key="3lnl3-0-0">He gave a wry smile, but revealed nothing more. He lifted a hand and waved to a group with instruments gathered at the edge of the circle. Music erupted and there was a joyful quickstep that happened among the preparations. I pulled my jacket off and tossed it over Babik’s own, further burying my weapons.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="5fhot-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="5fhot-0-0"><span data-offset-key="5fhot-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="164m4-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="164m4-0-0"><span data-offset-key="164m4-0-0">Once Ursi left my company, others gathered around me, wishing me well, shaking hands, embracing. The large woman returned and gripped me around the middle, hugging me off the ground and popping my back in a few places in the process. She had a wide smile showing that several teeth were missing, most likely from fights.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="e9kjn-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="e9kjn-0-0"><span data-offset-key="e9kjn-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="460qv-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="460qv-0-0"><span data-offset-key="460qv-0-0">I took the affection in stride. Finding my place amongst my new family.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="6sifv-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6sifv-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6sifv-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="dtb2b-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="dtb2b-0-0"><span data-offset-key="dtb2b-0-0">Lights swept across the trees and through the wagons. I looked toward the road in anticipation and was nearly clobbered by a cluster of attending elderly ladies as they turned me away from the sight.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="d5jcg-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="d5jcg-0-0"><span data-offset-key="d5jcg-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="c1uv7-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="c1uv7-0-0"><span data-offset-key="c1uv7-0-0">Men beckoned me over to the fireside and poured me a drink of densely fortifying wine. It was a heady experience on my empty stomach. They brought the tray of meats, cheeses, nuts, and bread to me first, as a guest of honor, I assumed. I took what I recognized and savored their skillful preparation. I cleared a tray or two just to keep myself from slipping into a drunken stupor too quickly. The remaining trays began circulating their way through the camp. Another tray arrived with what looked like small sugar-spun candies placed in neat rows was brought to me. I waved it off and they scoffed at me. I watched others consume them, their faces flushed red, eyes dilating. I watched closely, recognizing the same series of responses that Blanka went through when casting.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="bjf4p-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="bjf4p-0-0"><span data-offset-key="bjf4p-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="7vt2s-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="7vt2s-0-0"><span data-offset-key="7vt2s-0-0" style="font-style: italic;">Those might be worth investigating?</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="bkdgc-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="bkdgc-0-0"><span data-offset-key="bkdgc-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="3qo29-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="3qo29-0-0"><span data-offset-key="3qo29-0-0">There was a trilling sound, and the woman wrapped in colorful silks emerged again, this time with metal cymbals on her fingers, announcing attention. At the foot of the grand wagon was Ursi with the well worn tome. The woman spun around him, clacking the cymbals rhythmically until the camp quieted down to a low murmur of voices.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="5nmhl-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="5nmhl-0-0"><span data-offset-key="5nmhl-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="a51i1-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="a51i1-0-0"><span data-offset-key="a51i1-0-0">The woman produced a tambourine and stepped up with the band rattling with diminishing intensity. Ursi raised his voice.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="8q26g-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8q26g-0-0"><span data-offset-key="8q26g-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="96evb-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="96evb-0-0"><span data-offset-key="96evb-0-0">“We welcome a brother and a sister to our tribe. Their union bonds them to us. As family, they come to our aid as we will come to theirs. As family, they will protect as we will protect them. As family, this bond is beyond blood, it is a bond of the soul.”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="bovcn-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="bovcn-0-0"><span data-offset-key="bovcn-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="b57br-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="b57br-0-0"><span data-offset-key="b57br-0-0">Ursi lifted a hand and waved me forward. One of the men on the side flagged me forward, giving me direction as to where to stand. Ursi then inclined his head, looking to the back of the crowd, a cluster of women emerged leading a woman forward who wore a delightfully loud dress, hair pulled into dark braids, bundled in spirals at the sides of her head. Her crystal blue eyes were full of a bewilderment.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="e58lv-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="e58lv-0-0"><span data-offset-key="e58lv-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="7l0ge-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="7l0ge-0-0"><span data-offset-key="7l0ge-0-0">My heart climbed into my throat as I recognized Oksana.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="ertra-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="ertra-0-0"><span data-offset-key="ertra-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="bqido-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="bqido-0-0"><span data-offset-key="bqido-0-0">One of the older women escorting her wasn’t pleased with Oksana not enjoying herself. She grabbed two of the spun sugar candies and pushed them in her mouth. She braced briefly then flushed, her pupils dilating and a gentle calm seemed to spread over her.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="4pg1u-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="4pg1u-0-0"><span data-offset-key="4pg1u-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="ehv64-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="ehv64-0-0"><span data-offset-key="ehv64-0-0">She locked eyes with me, and smiled in recognition, blinking dreamily. I returned the smile, feeling my eyes brimming with her attention. I </span><span data-offset-key="ehv64-0-1" style="font-style: italic;">felt </span><span data-offset-key="ehv64-0-2">love. I inhaled at the experience, taking in the chaos around me. This was the nobility I didn’t mind being a part of. I fully embraced the experience.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="1pc5-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1pc5-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1pc5-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="udmf-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="udmf-0-0"><span data-offset-key="udmf-0-0">Ursi began to speak in a language I did not understand. It had sounds from Gaulic, Beryant, and Alaman, but none of it formed words I recognized. He motioned for our hands, the women surrounding Oksana lifted her hand. He looked to me and I started raising my hand.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="1k5eo-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1k5eo-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1k5eo-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="8k0kl-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8k0kl-0-0"><span data-offset-key="8k0kl-0-0">“No. You must choose someone to help you lift that burden.” Ursi said, nodding toward my hand.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="42ne5-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="42ne5-0-0"><span data-offset-key="42ne5-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="lt0d-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="lt0d-0-0"><span data-offset-key="lt0d-0-0">I looked through the crowd and saw Babik the Peddler. I motioned him over with a bob of my head. A big grin spread across his face and he hobbled over. The numerous women were holding Oksana’s hand up, Babik took my arm by the wrist and put it under Oksana’s palm. He held it in place. There were tears in the old man’s eyes balancing against the ever widening smile.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="8ckv9-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8ckv9-0-0"><span data-offset-key="8ckv9-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="1l1bp-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1l1bp-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1l1bp-0-0">Thick silk ribbons of different colors were tied around our wrists. Ursi then looked to me, still speaking in a language I couldn’t understand. He stopped on what sounded like a question, paused, looking intently at me. It took a moment to sink in.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="bjcuo-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="bjcuo-0-0"><span data-offset-key="bjcuo-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="dce52-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="dce52-0-0"><span data-offset-key="dce52-0-0">“I … do.” I said, nodding in acknowledgement.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="a42cp-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="a42cp-0-0"><span data-offset-key="a42cp-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="1eiv4-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1eiv4-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1eiv4-0-0">Ursi grinned and winked. Babik’s grasp dropped away, he bowed and retreated back to the edge of the circle.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="8b4uk-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8b4uk-0-0"><span data-offset-key="8b4uk-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="6vflf-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6vflf-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6vflf-0-0">Ursi then turned toward Oksana, whatever the spun sugar had done to her had worn off, but her smile wasn’t fading. She was brightly aware, her eyes wide. Her bewilderment was a happy bewilderment. He paused and looked at her.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="5kvqr-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="5kvqr-0-0"><span data-offset-key="5kvqr-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="cdhqt-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="cdhqt-0-0"><span data-offset-key="cdhqt-0-0">Oksana then looked to me for guidance. I met her crystal blue eyes. They were unsure. A confused, almost impish smile moved across her face. She said something in Beryat, then she gave me that unpracticed shrug. I bent with a laugh.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="6t71v-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6t71v-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6t71v-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="83b7o-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="83b7o-0-0"><span data-offset-key="83b7o-0-0">“I do.” I said, clearly mouthing the words to her, then nodding toward Ursi.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="erjha-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="erjha-0-0"><span data-offset-key="erjha-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="b4h7p-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="b4h7p-0-0"><span data-offset-key="b4h7p-0-0">She turned toward Ursi, blinking lightly.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="b88kh-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="b88kh-0-0"><span data-offset-key="b88kh-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="9mf0p-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="9mf0p-0-0"><span data-offset-key="9mf0p-0-0">“I do.” She echoed it perfectly.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="3kmei-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="3kmei-0-0"><span data-offset-key="3kmei-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="6jjll-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6jjll-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6jjll-0-0">The moment stirred in me. The potentials echoed out from her words. I watched as the women’s hands fell away as they retreated. I looked at the ribbons that bonded us together. Everything slowed as my gaze moved back to Oksana who was intently looking at Ursi. I could hear my heart beating in my chest, but also, I could hear her heartbeat. I knew, it was hers, like recognizing something in a dream. I could hear Ursi speaking, but my eyes remained on Oksana.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="dfo91-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="dfo91-0-0"><span data-offset-key="dfo91-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="aguu0-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="aguu0-0-0"><span data-offset-key="aguu0-0-0">Cheers erupted around us and the world sped up again. Oksana looked at me, bouncing up and down like she’d won a prize. I pulled her into an embrace. She leaned into me and pressed an aggressive, unpracticed kiss on me. Her eyes were moving all around the chaos. Her wide smile looked permanent. Her vibrance was stunning.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="15hi-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="15hi-0-0"><span data-offset-key="15hi-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="8hn3e-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8hn3e-0-0"><span data-offset-key="8hn3e-0-0">Music started playing and everyone pointed at us. Our hands were still bound. I looked around for guidance.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="78iav-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="78iav-0-0"><span data-offset-key="78iav-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="domog-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="domog-0-0"><span data-offset-key="domog-0-0">“Dance with her!” Babik called out from the edge of the circle.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="egq20-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="egq20-0-0"><span data-offset-key="egq20-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="469ju-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="469ju-0-0"><span data-offset-key="469ju-0-0">Without hesitation, I faced her and cupped my arm around her waist. We bounded around the circle. She had no sense of rhythm, so it was mostly bouncing in time with the music as best we could. After a moment, she recognized that I was attempting to follow the beat of the tambourine and leaned into it.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="hb3t-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="hb3t-0-0"><span data-offset-key="hb3t-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="3mn8g-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="3mn8g-0-0"><span data-offset-key="3mn8g-0-0">After the dance, Babik and the cluster of women came out and untied the ribbons, freeing our hands. One of the women gathered the ribbons and departed.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="1rgn2-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1rgn2-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1rgn2-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="12kb0-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="12kb0-0-0"><span data-offset-key="12kb0-0-0">Faces emerged from the crowd, taking their turns dancing with either of us. Oksana kept moving back to me, taking me for another loop around the circle then breaking away to another dance partner. Her smile shone brightly in the firelight.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="373r0-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="373r0-0-0"><span data-offset-key="373r0-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="1hbu4-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1hbu4-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1hbu4-0-0">The night continued at a fervent pace. I did my best to keep up with the festivities. Ursi and the woman dressed in silks often disappeared during the festivities. This latest time, his pants were clearly undone.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="b8rav-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="b8rav-0-0"><span data-offset-key="b8rav-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="ctkks-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="ctkks-0-0"><span data-offset-key="ctkks-0-0">“It is time!” He called out, raising his hands in our direction, “Take them to their room!”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="9771n-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="9771n-0-0"><span data-offset-key="9771n-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="1373u-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1373u-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1373u-0-0">We were swept away into a procession across camp, led to the entrance of a well adorned wagon likely decorated for this occasion. I stood with a smirk, my disbelief catching up with me.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="9g6b6-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="9g6b6-0-0"><span data-offset-key="9g6b6-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="54mbn-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="54mbn-0-0"><span data-offset-key="54mbn-0-0">Oksana stepped to the stairs, then turned toward me and tilted her head, her wide smile stuck permanently in place. She reached out her hand. I grinned, moving past her hand, scooping her up in my arms, and climbing the stairs into the wagon. Cheers erupted behind us. After a moment of negotiation, I was able to navigate the dress and her head unharmed through the doorway. I set her down inside. She let out a light tittering laugh, her smiling face rosey with a deep blush. Tears leaked out the sides of her eyes.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="cpori-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="cpori-0-0"><span data-offset-key="cpori-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="ek4ds-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="ek4ds-0-0"><span data-offset-key="ek4ds-0-0">She gazed at me, emotion touching her brow, and spoke.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="csrct-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="csrct-0-0"><span data-offset-key="csrct-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="7qfqs-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="7qfqs-0-0"><span data-offset-key="7qfqs-0-0">“Yesli eto son, ya nadeyus' umeret' do togo, kak prosnus'.”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="e4vjh-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="e4vjh-0-0"><span data-offset-key="e4vjh-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="32udl-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="32udl-0-0"><span data-offset-key="32udl-0-0">I smiled at her and shrugged, then pulled her close and kissed her passionately. Another cheer erupted from the audience. I released her and moved to just inside the threshold, stooping forward to look out on all the smiling faces in the low light. I kissed my hand and waved outward with a flourish, then clenched my fist and held it to my chest, above my heart. Emotions welled through constant cheers. I bowed into the wagon, closing the door behind me.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="fsvoh-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="fsvoh-0-0"><span data-offset-key="fsvoh-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="d35po-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="d35po-0-0"><span data-offset-key="d35po-0-0">Oksana was wrestling with the bulky dress and looked at me with a sort of panic.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="e9u9f-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="e9u9f-0-0"><span data-offset-key="e9u9f-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="7i1pq-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="7i1pq-0-0"><span data-offset-key="7i1pq-0-0">“Pomogi mne.” She said, turning her back toward me, then pointing at the dress emphatically.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="2ckc3-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="2ckc3-0-0"><span data-offset-key="2ckc3-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="660g8-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="660g8-0-0"><span data-offset-key="660g8-0-0">There was a series of clasps, ties, and buttons. Some of the ties and buttons required participation from the bride herself. The final test was a chastity dress put together like a cooperative puzzle box. </span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="6dm62-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6dm62-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6dm62-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="augrj-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="augrj-0-0"><span data-offset-key="augrj-0-0">“Oh, this is just cruel.” I said with a chuckle.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="atb3k-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="atb3k-0-0"><span data-offset-key="atb3k-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="2hmfe-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="2hmfe-0-0"><span data-offset-key="2hmfe-0-0">The first few buttons were easy, then I tugged at a string that went around to the front of the dress. She recognized the string as I pulled and patted herself down.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="5m8m7-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="5m8m7-0-0"><span data-offset-key="5m8m7-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="e03dv-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="e03dv-0-0"><span data-offset-key="e03dv-0-0">“Da, da.” She nodded quickly and fiddled with the front of her dress pulling at the ties until the strings loosened.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="16phf-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="16phf-0-0"><span data-offset-key="16phf-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="8o67o-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8o67o-0-0"><span data-offset-key="8o67o-0-0">I was able to continue. Sweat soaked the interior of the dress as we worked through the puzzle. Interior buttons holding the dress together required me to slip my hands up against her bare skin to release them.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="e6dsg-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="e6dsg-0-0"><span data-offset-key="e6dsg-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="6vo8u-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6vo8u-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6vo8u-0-0">I recognized that the puzzle was less of a test, and more of a lesson in intimacy. As the back parted with each button. Clasps needed to be released from around her breasts. Her breath shuddered with my touch. I slowed my progress, revelling in the amorous moment. Another pull of a string that clung tightly around her hips and she led my hand from outside the dress to another knot, sitting just above her navel. The knot released and the dress fell away. I let my hand remain, pulling her close to me, smelling her hair; perfumes mingled with sweat and campfire. Goosebumps ran over her body.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="amho0-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="amho0-0-0"><span data-offset-key="amho0-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="8du6o-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8du6o-0-0"><span data-offset-key="8du6o-0-0">I could feel every rib under my touch and was reminded of the condition I found her in. Half starved, completely alone, and hunted.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="3qhpk-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="3qhpk-0-0"><span data-offset-key="3qhpk-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="ag5mk-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="ag5mk-0-0"><span data-offset-key="ag5mk-0-0" style="font-style: italic;">Not anymore.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="bgd6e-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="bgd6e-0-0"><span data-offset-key="bgd6e-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="42lcq-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="42lcq-0-0"><span data-offset-key="42lcq-0-0">Oksana shook herself from the momentary daze and spun around quickly, looking at my clothes as an inconvenience. She started pulling at my shirt buttons, then belt. I held up my hands trying to express that I could remove my own clothes. She batted my hands away, in the thin lamplight of the wagon, I saw that impish look and wry smile.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="7pin1-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="7pin1-0-0"><span data-offset-key="7pin1-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="6uhl6-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6uhl6-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6uhl6-0-0">After a moment of study, she deftly negotiated the buttons and belt. While my clothes were more straightforward, she did not spare her touch.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="6b4kc-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6b4kc-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6b4kc-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="ae77h-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="ae77h-0-0"><span data-offset-key="ae77h-0-0">She moved backwards toward the bed clutching my hands. The bed itself was layers of brightly colored fabrics filled with stuffing, acting as a makeshift mattress made from misshapen pillows. The heat of the wagon didn’t warrant the need to use blankets, but there were some closeby. It was clear that this shelter had not been arranged for sleeping.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="eg2b8-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="eg2b8-0-0"><span data-offset-key="eg2b8-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="2nbem-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="2nbem-0-0"><span data-offset-key="2nbem-0-0">She laid back, pulling me toward her. She was anxious, trembling.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="evfv8-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="evfv8-0-0"><span data-offset-key="evfv8-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="dajom-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="dajom-0-0"><span data-offset-key="dajom-0-0">“YA ne mogu v eto poverit'. Boyus' v eto poverit'.”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="fg81h-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="fg81h-0-0"><span data-offset-key="fg81h-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="6l774-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6l774-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6l774-0-0">She spoke the flurry of Beryat in a fervent whisper, her eyes shifting back and forth as she looked in my eyes. I saw her anxiety and calmly put my hand on the side of her face. She leaned into it, closing her eyes, wetting it with tears.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="cn9vf-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="cn9vf-0-0"><span data-offset-key="cn9vf-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="ehj73-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="ehj73-0-0"><span data-offset-key="ehj73-0-0">Sparks flew through the night. There were moments, in the heat of passion, where her other nature showed through: lengthened teeth, bristling hair along her back, and predator’s shine to her eyes. I was reminded of her animal core, but I did not fear her. Eventually exhaustion took hold of both of us and we lay still in a naked embrace.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="1t7j0-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1t7j0-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1t7j0-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="acv4m-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="acv4m-0-0"><span data-offset-key="acv4m-0-0">The late morning light hit a colorful stained glass window. The heat from the sun made sweat stand out on my body. I was already dehydrated and needed to find a tree or bathroom in short order. Thirst was cruel when coupled with the need to urinate.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="1dj2b-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1dj2b-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1dj2b-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="77tb-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="77tb-0-0"><span data-offset-key="77tb-0-0">I watched Oksana’s placid face in the scintillating colors from the stained glass. A deep calm smoothed her features; her breaths were deep and even. I lifted her arm from around me, and slipped from the tangled bed. She remained asleep as I tugged my pants on. With this urgency, there was no time for shoes or a shirt.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="9nlk-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="9nlk-0-0"><span data-offset-key="9nlk-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="96uq3-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="96uq3-0-0"><span data-offset-key="96uq3-0-0">I exited the wagon. The cool moisture of the mid-morning air hit me bracingly. Goosebumps covered my torso as I moved quickly toward the edge of the forest. As I crossed the camp, there were congratulatory nods, but the camp was respectfully quiet as they went about the chores.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="cg09a-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="cg09a-0-0"><span data-offset-key="cg09a-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="3gb5e-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="3gb5e-0-0"><span data-offset-key="3gb5e-0-0">After taking care of business, I returned to the camp, revelling in the smell of the campfire smoke that rose around me. I looked at the close forest, then around to the rustic smattering of wagons. I had a new respect for the Kalderari, this family I’d joined. The outpouring of love over the last night, alone, was far more than I’d experienced from the many years I was joined to Cassandra’s family.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="41ead-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="41ead-0-0"><span data-offset-key="41ead-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="1fgui-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1fgui-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1fgui-0-0" style="font-style: italic;">And there was no way in hell she’d be caught in a place like this.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="8q7lj-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8q7lj-0-0"><span data-offset-key="8q7lj-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="pubp-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="pubp-0-0"><span data-offset-key="pubp-0-0">I grinned at the discards: spent wooden plates, metal utensils, and husks of meat, cheese, and bread scattered through the common area. Children were dutifully cleaning up the mess, interspersed with games of tag or wrestling in the dew soaked grass. It would take them a while, but they were having fun doing it.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="78qjd-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="78qjd-0-0"><span data-offset-key="78qjd-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="d0d1j-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="d0d1j-0-0"><span data-offset-key="d0d1j-0-0">I checked the table where I had disarmed myself, but my coat, Babik’s coat, and all of the implements had been whisked away, even the table had been repurposed for dining purposes. I flagged at one of the men who was just finishing up a late breakfast.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="cli6u-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="cli6u-0-0"><span data-offset-key="cli6u-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="5odg2-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="5odg2-0-0"><span data-offset-key="5odg2-0-0">“Water?” I asked with a catch in my throat, it was the first time I’d spoken this morning.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="2ad79-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="2ad79-0-0"><span data-offset-key="2ad79-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="17cae-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="17cae-0-0"><span data-offset-key="17cae-0-0">He recognized me and smiled, nodding his congratulations. He offered a sweating metal pitcher and waved for me to keep it. I turned the spout on myself and drank deeply, feeling the chill trickle through my core. A headache I didn’t know I had responded sharply then ebbed into the background.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="cr6mf-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="cr6mf-0-0"><span data-offset-key="cr6mf-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="c0vqs-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="c0vqs-0-0"><span data-offset-key="c0vqs-0-0">I returned with the pitcher to my bride. She was sitting up, looking concerned when I first opened the wagon door. Her smile reappeared and her eyes brightened as she saw me. I moved toward her and sat next to her on the bed, handing her the pitcher. She gulped twice, then looked to have the same urgency that I had earlier.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="dv6rt-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="dv6rt-0-0"><span data-offset-key="dv6rt-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="1afmc-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1afmc-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1afmc-0-0">“Wait a moment. I’ll be back.” I said, holding up a finger.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="dep9u-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="dep9u-0-0"><span data-offset-key="dep9u-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="39lph-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="39lph-0-0"><span data-offset-key="39lph-0-0">I moved back out, leaving the door slightly ajar. This time I’d retrieved my shirt from the floor and buttoned it as I navigated barefoot through the wet grass. I moved to Babik’s trailer. He was outside with the small boy fetching implements and boiling water. His eyes were a little bleary. When he saw me he smiled widely with a row of crooked teeth.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="aqicg-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="aqicg-0-0"><span data-offset-key="aqicg-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="e2jjm-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="e2jjm-0-0"><span data-offset-key="e2jjm-0-0">“I hate to ask for more, Babik. She needs a bathroom and clothes. I am pretty sure that the wedding dress requires an expert to get back into.”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="igte-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="igte-0-0"><span data-offset-key="igte-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="1d5hj-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1d5hj-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1d5hj-0-0">He laughed heartily, then his eyes followed something behind me and laughed again, I looked back to see what it was and a dark loping hound made its way into the forest. I turned back with a weak smile, feeling suddenly lightheaded.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="djse3-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="djse3-0-0"><span data-offset-key="djse3-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="dvh0s-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="dvh0s-0-0"><span data-offset-key="dvh0s-0-0" style="font-style: italic;">This life is going to be strange.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="edff5-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="edff5-0-0"><span data-offset-key="edff5-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="3pvti-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="3pvti-0-0"><span data-offset-key="3pvti-0-0">“Well, just clothes then.”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="1h9mr-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1h9mr-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1h9mr-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="c7t5v-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="c7t5v-0-0"><span data-offset-key="c7t5v-0-0">He nodded.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="2c7af-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="2c7af-0-0"><span data-offset-key="2c7af-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="4u62r-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="4u62r-0-0"><span data-offset-key="4u62r-0-0">“And breakfast, yes?”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="doolr-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="doolr-0-0"><span data-offset-key="doolr-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="3feih-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="3feih-0-0"><span data-offset-key="3feih-0-0">“Yes, please!”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="9fgs6-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="9fgs6-0-0"><span data-offset-key="9fgs6-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="egehs-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="egehs-0-0"><span data-offset-key="egehs-0-0">I rubbed at the sides of my head. The headache would come and go.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="au0eb-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="au0eb-0-0"><span data-offset-key="au0eb-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="cttjp-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="cttjp-0-0"><span data-offset-key="cttjp-0-0">“There’s a question, Babik. And I don’t know how to answer it.”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="4535g-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="4535g-0-0"><span data-offset-key="4535g-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="f2too-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="f2too-0-0"><span data-offset-key="f2too-0-0">He looked at me thoughtfully.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="f9gf8-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="f9gf8-0-0"><span data-offset-key="f9gf8-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="bgk15-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="bgk15-0-0"><span data-offset-key="bgk15-0-0">“Her nature... her gift... Uh, her ‘condition’... how, uh, contagious is it? Should I be worried?”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="b9oa5-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="b9oa5-0-0"><span data-offset-key="b9oa5-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="3qfi8-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="3qfi8-0-0"><span data-offset-key="3qfi8-0-0">He gave me a sidelong glance with a wry smile.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="anocs-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="anocs-0-0"><span data-offset-key="anocs-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="7onif-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="7onif-0-0"><span data-offset-key="7onif-0-0">“You mean?” he glanced down on my crotch then back to my eyes.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="f9730-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="f9730-0-0"><span data-offset-key="f9730-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="d30is-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="d30is-0-0"><span data-offset-key="d30is-0-0">“Well, yeah. For one.”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="8lscp-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8lscp-0-0"><span data-offset-key="8lscp-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="3cm6-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="3cm6-0-0"><span data-offset-key="3cm6-0-0">“No, my friend, you’ll be fine. She didn’t bite you, yes?”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="5nb49-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="5nb49-0-0"><span data-offset-key="5nb49-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="e5k4d-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="e5k4d-0-0"><span data-offset-key="e5k4d-0-0">“Oh, no. Nothing like that.”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="daqj0-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="daqj0-0-0"><span data-offset-key="daqj0-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="d317t-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="d317t-0-0"><span data-offset-key="d317t-0-0">“Not all can give the gift to someone else. You may never know, or have the chance to find out. But, your children? That is something to consider.”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="1rh96-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1rh96-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1rh96-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="en2t-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="en2t-0-0"><span data-offset-key="en2t-0-0" style="font-style: italic;">Children.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="4auu-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="4auu-0-0"><span data-offset-key="4auu-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="a26vl-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="a26vl-0-0"><span data-offset-key="a26vl-0-0">“I’ll keep that in mind. If it comes to that.”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="dle3u-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="dle3u-0-0"><span data-offset-key="dle3u-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="5bt4s-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="5bt4s-0-0"><span data-offset-key="5bt4s-0-0">He nodded.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="f9ido-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="f9ido-0-0"><span data-offset-key="f9ido-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="7kllv-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="7kllv-0-0"><span data-offset-key="7kllv-0-0">“As for clothes? Follow me. My niece may be able to surrender some of her clothes.”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="4di25-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="4di25-0-0"><span data-offset-key="4di25-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="574rs-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="574rs-0-0"><span data-offset-key="574rs-0-0">As we walked through the camp, Babik opened up.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="4ibps-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="4ibps-0-0"><span data-offset-key="4ibps-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="e6shn-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="e6shn-0-0"><span data-offset-key="e6shn-0-0">“You have given me credibility in this place. Something that I’ve never had. I didn’t deserve it, truly, but now having it makes me want to honor it.” He looked up as he shuffled alongside me, “You bring out a good in people. Even in me. It was a good I didn’t know I had. I have never seen someone do what you did last night and I don’t think I ever will again.”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="907rq-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="907rq-0-0"><span data-offset-key="907rq-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="146i0-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="146i0-0-0"><span data-offset-key="146i0-0-0">He put his hand on my shoulder, pulling himself up a little, and then patted it heavily. We rounded the corner to another wagon. He rapped on the door and announced himself. Heated words were exchanged from the far side of the door. He responded kindly, bobbing his head along, letting the rapid fire of a young woman’s words wash over him.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="26igf-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="26igf-0-0"><span data-offset-key="26igf-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="5djau-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="5djau-0-0"><span data-offset-key="5djau-0-0">The door opened quickly and a blur of a colorful dress smacked Babik in the face.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="csmvb-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="csmvb-0-0"><span data-offset-key="csmvb-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="26b5t-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="26b5t-0-0"><span data-offset-key="26b5t-0-0">He responded with something that was intoned like a “thank you”. Then pulled the dress from his face and handed the bundle to me.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="5p5sv-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="5p5sv-0-0"><span data-offset-key="5p5sv-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="1dsl2-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1dsl2-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1dsl2-0-0">“Shoes?” I asked.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="8cj9d-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8cj9d-0-0"><span data-offset-key="8cj9d-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="4oh15-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="4oh15-0-0"><span data-offset-key="4oh15-0-0">He looked around and saw bulky, black lace up boots hanging from the side of the wagon. He grabbed them and handed them to me, shrugging, as he walked past me back toward his wagon.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="6anj-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6anj-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6anj-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="2p6pk-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="2p6pk-0-0"><span data-offset-key="2p6pk-0-0">“I’ll get some breakfast started, if you’d like to join the lad and I?”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="16ric-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="16ric-0-0"><span data-offset-key="16ric-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="8run7-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8run7-0-0"><span data-offset-key="8run7-0-0">I nodded at the invitation.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="2lqrp-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="2lqrp-0-0"><span data-offset-key="2lqrp-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="bqv2s-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="bqv2s-0-0"><span data-offset-key="bqv2s-0-0">Oksana was removing grass and drying the dew from her legs when I returned. She immediately stood, naked, as I moved into the wagon. She moved forward, putting her hand behind my head, then drew me in for a kiss. It was calm; peaceful, even. Her crystal blue eyes looked into mine, dancing back and forth between both, down to my mouth, and then back up.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="44b67-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="44b67-0-0"><span data-offset-key="44b67-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="2g2ad-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="2g2ad-0-0"><span data-offset-key="2g2ad-0-0">“Pust' eta mechta nikogda ne zakonchitsya.”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="d0lqh-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="d0lqh-0-0"><span data-offset-key="d0lqh-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="53gvt-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="53gvt-0-0"><span data-offset-key="53gvt-0-0">Oksana stood on her tiptoes and pulled me in again for another kiss, then retreated with a smile. I reveled in the moment. </span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="et7eu-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="et7eu-0-0"><span data-offset-key="et7eu-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="b58ne-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="b58ne-0-0"><span data-offset-key="b58ne-0-0" style="font-style: italic;">I am </span><span data-offset-key="b58ne-0-1">not </span><span data-offset-key="b58ne-0-2" style="font-style: italic;">looking forward to learning Beryat.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="rdqu-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="rdqu-0-0"><span data-offset-key="rdqu-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="cgamq-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="cgamq-0-0"><span data-offset-key="cgamq-0-0">Then realized what I had in my hands. I held out the dress and handed her the black boots. She busied herself with getting dressed.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="c8ef4-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="c8ef4-0-0"><span data-offset-key="c8ef4-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="294q6-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="294q6-0-0"><span data-offset-key="294q6-0-0">The dress fit well, it hung loosely around her chest and torso, but it was the right length. She swayed back and forth, watching the colorful dress catch the air. She plopped down on the edge of the bed and tugged on the boots. She inspected the laces and her brow furrowed.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="5i825-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="5i825-0-0"><span data-offset-key="5i825-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="9hnp7-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="9hnp7-0-0"><span data-offset-key="9hnp7-0-0">“Sdelay eto. YA budu smotret'.”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="2u5lj-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="2u5lj-0-0"><span data-offset-key="2u5lj-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="bsuac-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="bsuac-0-0"><span data-offset-key="bsuac-0-0">She thrust out her right booted foot and pointed at it, moving her hands in a tugging gesture.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="t8dp-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="t8dp-0-0"><span data-offset-key="t8dp-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="27iu7-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="27iu7-0-0"><span data-offset-key="27iu7-0-0">I moved up, putting the sole of the boot against my chest then went through the motions of tying her boot. She was intensely focused on the process then gave a single nod as I completed the bow.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="8970t-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8970t-0-0"><span data-offset-key="8970t-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="a37ta-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="a37ta-0-0"><span data-offset-key="a37ta-0-0">She lifted her other foot and inspected the threads and tied the knot in a mirror image of what I tied.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="8b7br-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8b7br-0-0"><span data-offset-key="8b7br-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="1200a-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1200a-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1200a-0-0">“Pravil'nost'!” She said firmly.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="6ckbl-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6ckbl-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6ckbl-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="24n92-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="24n92-0-0"><span data-offset-key="24n92-0-0">Chills ran up my spine as I looked up at her. She flushed at my recognition, then tilted her head with a wide smile. I stood and extended my hands to her, she took them and I lifted her from the bed. The boots clomped against the floor and she stomped in them, getting used to the weight. She didn’t look exactly pleased, but there was a certain joy in the experience.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="e7qr9-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="e7qr9-0-0"><span data-offset-key="e7qr9-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="5oitt-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="5oitt-0-0"><span data-offset-key="5oitt-0-0">I looked around the wagon, making sure I hadn’t left anything behind. It was a reminder of how strange the last two days had been.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="c0umq-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="c0umq-0-0"><span data-offset-key="c0umq-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="eb6qe-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="eb6qe-0-0"><span data-offset-key="eb6qe-0-0">We joined Babik for breakfast. He presented a rustic wooden box and lifted the lid. The “anytool” sat in the box. In its inert form it remained a lump of clay. There was a paper with a list of words and their pronunciations showing the different forms that it could turn into. I was thrilled when I saw it the first time, this was where our bond started. It was something that he had planned to sell me for a considerable amount only two days ago.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="2irj8-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="2irj8-0-0"><span data-offset-key="2irj8-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="bfgf2-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="bfgf2-0-0"><span data-offset-key="bfgf2-0-0">“It’s a wedding gift.” Then he grimaced, “A wedding </span><span data-offset-key="bfgf2-0-1" style="font-style: italic;">discount</span><span data-offset-key="bfgf2-0-2">. I still need to put food on the table.”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="8vfug-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8vfug-0-0"><span data-offset-key="8vfug-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="abteh-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="abteh-0-0"><span data-offset-key="abteh-0-0">“I am good for it, Babik.” I pulled a wad of Lyra, overpaying his discounted price by a fair amount.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="bifq1-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="bifq1-0-0"><span data-offset-key="bifq1-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="9kq89-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="9kq89-0-0"><span data-offset-key="9kq89-0-0">“You are too good, my brother.” He smiled then remembered with an exclamation, “Your coat and weapons!”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="9fpaj-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="9fpaj-0-0"><span data-offset-key="9fpaj-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="4ohqa-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="4ohqa-0-0"><span data-offset-key="4ohqa-0-0">A few rapid fire words to the boy and he moved off.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="1i1sb-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1i1sb-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1i1sb-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="f994r-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="f994r-0-0"><span data-offset-key="f994r-0-0">“You will want to speak with Ursi before you go. You left an impression. Be aware that impressions also bring expectations. You made a lot of promises last night. Be sure to remember them.”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="ahrjg-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="ahrjg-0-0"><span data-offset-key="ahrjg-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="5eges-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="5eges-0-0"><span data-offset-key="5eges-0-0">I nodded, acknowledging his insight.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="fuovg-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="fuovg-0-0"><span data-offset-key="fuovg-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="dsh1i-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="dsh1i-0-0"><span data-offset-key="dsh1i-0-0">The boy brought back my bundle of weapons. I dutifully strapped the leathers back into place. Babik respectfully looked on me as I inspected each weapon and holstered them. I finally snapped the whip back into place in the small of my back.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="9ae27-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="9ae27-0-0"><span data-offset-key="9ae27-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="5l3qv-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="5l3qv-0-0"><span data-offset-key="5l3qv-0-0">“I am glad it didn’t come to that.” He said, looking upon the proceedings in a daze.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="6k749-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6k749-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6k749-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="7fmcm-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="7fmcm-0-0"><span data-offset-key="7fmcm-0-0">“Believe me, I am, too.” I said.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="c9p83-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="c9p83-0-0"><span data-offset-key="c9p83-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="a5im2-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="a5im2-0-0"><span data-offset-key="a5im2-0-0">Oksana and I moved to the central campfire.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="d7l0t-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="d7l0t-0-0"><span data-offset-key="d7l0t-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="9esrp-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="9esrp-0-0"><span data-offset-key="9esrp-0-0">“I request an audience with the King.” I said, bowing at the waist.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="6f0nc-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6f0nc-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6f0nc-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="ebfdu-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="ebfdu-0-0"><span data-offset-key="ebfdu-0-0">I waited a moment, and the woman who was both bodyguard and consort to the King emerged, wearing a far more demure set of silks: pale green and black. The presentation was more direct, less flowery. She instantly recognized that I was fully armed and stood directly before me, bristling. Oksana reacted to her reaction, but I put my hand out to calm both of them. I nodded to the king’s consort apologetically.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="2ga2f-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="2ga2f-0-0"><span data-offset-key="2ga2f-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="cd53u-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="cd53u-0-0"><span data-offset-key="cd53u-0-0">“Love, we are brothers bound at the soul.” He said, descending the stairs, “I know his heart and his mind.”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="7ekjn-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="7ekjn-0-0"><span data-offset-key="7ekjn-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="104vh-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="104vh-0-0"><span data-offset-key="104vh-0-0">The woman looked unsure, stepping to the side opposite of Oksana, but still remaining very close. I respected her instincts. Bjorn would have done exactly the same.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="cutnf-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="cutnf-0-0"><span data-offset-key="cutnf-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="bi15i-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="bi15i-0-0"><span data-offset-key="bi15i-0-0">The king moved right in with a grappling hug, pinning both my arms briefly. He released, stepped back, and patted both shoulders, his hazy eyes wandering close to my own, but still not quite locking in.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="8jq6b-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8jq6b-0-0"><span data-offset-key="8jq6b-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="ds3gf-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="ds3gf-0-0"><span data-offset-key="ds3gf-0-0">“I would offer words of advice, but I don’t think you need it. Mr. Elkind. The G-man.” He grinned, looking bit weary from the events himself.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="7tjuk-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="7tjuk-0-0"><span data-offset-key="7tjuk-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="8d5so-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8d5so-0-0"><span data-offset-key="8d5so-0-0">He patted at his neck, looking in the direction of his guardian. Her brow furrowed briefly and she glanced sidelong at me, then departed.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="1iibf-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1iibf-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1iibf-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="9dd00-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="9dd00-0-0"><span data-offset-key="9dd00-0-0">He waved Oksana in closer and put his hands on both of our shoulders.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="21t0d-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="21t0d-0-0"><span data-offset-key="21t0d-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="5nb0j-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="5nb0j-0-0"><span data-offset-key="5nb0j-0-0">“I expect to hear from you. From </span><span data-offset-key="5nb0j-0-1" style="font-style: italic;">both </span><span data-offset-key="5nb0j-0-2">of you. There’s a long journey ahead, I expect you will take it in stride.”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="4k72e-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="4k72e-0-0"><span data-offset-key="4k72e-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="410f8-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="410f8-0-0"><span data-offset-key="410f8-0-0">The woman returned with an ornately crafted box closed with a metal clasp. She opened the clasp and held the box open toward Ursi. He retrieved a braided necklace, without looking at it and held it in front of me.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="clpp9-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="clpp9-0-0"><span data-offset-key="clpp9-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="8jkau-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8jkau-0-0"><span data-offset-key="8jkau-0-0">“This is yours, Bani. Made from the silken threads of your union. You will be known by this necklace to other Kalderari. These red beads, they represent courage. </span><span data-offset-key="8jkau-0-1" style="font-style: italic;">One </span><span data-offset-key="8jkau-0-2">means great courage. We have given you </span><span data-offset-key="8jkau-0-3" style="font-style: italic;">three</span><span data-offset-key="8jkau-0-4">. The black beads mean secret, obscured. You are of the Night Watch. And the silver,” He paused briefly, “This is an unusual addition for us. I don’t believe it has ever been defined, much less used. I requested it because it reminded me of you. It’ll make an impression on whoever sees it.”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="7jqf2-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="7jqf2-0-0"><span data-offset-key="7jqf2-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="c3a4a-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="c3a4a-0-0"><span data-offset-key="c3a4a-0-0">Ursi placed the necklace over my head and adjusted it so that the three bold red beads stood in front. He shook his head with a chuckle.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="fptou-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="fptou-0-0"><span data-offset-key="fptou-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="f0o6j-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="f0o6j-0-0"><span data-offset-key="f0o6j-0-0">“Oksana.” He lifted the other necklace from the box without looking, “Precious child. It would have been a great loss if Bani had not accepted the requirements of tradition.”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="aqjpr-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="aqjpr-0-0"><span data-offset-key="aqjpr-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="9f56h-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="9f56h-0-0"><span data-offset-key="9f56h-0-0">His eyes glazed momentarily with emotion. I clenched my jaw, keeping my own in check.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="dor9d-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="dor9d-0-0"><span data-offset-key="dor9d-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="f514l-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="f514l-0-0"><span data-offset-key="f514l-0-0">“These clear glass beads with a hint of blue, they are your eyes, they show clarity, intelligence, and understanding. They are surrounded by colorless glass beads, your past has been erased, and your future is open to you. These clear glass beads with a hint of yellow are the sunlight that shines through you. A joy that has always wanted to come out.”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="2emcm-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="2emcm-0-0"><span data-offset-key="2emcm-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="2klaf-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="2klaf-0-0"><span data-offset-key="2klaf-0-0">He fingered one remaining bead.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="9qlvh-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="9qlvh-0-0"><span data-offset-key="9qlvh-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="3a2ad-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="3a2ad-0-0"><span data-offset-key="3a2ad-0-0">“This is unknown. Onyx.” He paused while he held it then shook his head then continued, “It belongs here, but I can’t yet see why.”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="beqm6-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="beqm6-0-0"><span data-offset-key="beqm6-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="1g12t-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1g12t-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1g12t-0-0">His face was pensive for a moment as he placed the necklace over Oksana’s head, then a smile creased his lips.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="cpvag-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="cpvag-0-0"><span data-offset-key="cpvag-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="3q7l9-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="3q7l9-0-0"><span data-offset-key="3q7l9-0-0">‘It’s time for you to go home.”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="drcfs-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="drcfs-0-0"><span data-offset-key="drcfs-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="4pogj-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="4pogj-0-0"><span data-offset-key="4pogj-0-0">I moved in and hugged the man. His consort bristled again, eyes narrowing. Oksana lit up and hugged Ursi as well.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="a7qq0-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="a7qq0-0-0"><span data-offset-key="a7qq0-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="2fb9p-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="2fb9p-0-0"><span data-offset-key="2fb9p-0-0">Ursi’s consort approached with the box after he retreated and handed the box to Oksana. She stepped forward and whispered in her ear. Oksana, took a deep breath and looked at the box in her hand. She then turned to me with bright eyes and a smile.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="48q0h-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="48q0h-0-0"><span data-offset-key="48q0h-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="89qia-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="89qia-0-0"><span data-offset-key="89qia-0-0">She turned to speak to both of us.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="bpit-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="bpit-0-0"><span data-offset-key="bpit-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="7bvmk-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="7bvmk-0-0"><span data-offset-key="7bvmk-0-0">“When the time comes, take this to the wise woman at any Kalderari camp. She will know what to do.” Her voice was husky and low, she allowed a slight smile and tipped her head forward then added, “Hunt well.”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="429pu-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="429pu-0-0"><span data-offset-key="429pu-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="9osil-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="9osil-0-0"><span data-offset-key="9osil-0-0">There was too much to process at the moment. I bowed away taking Oksana’s hand and weaving my way through the wagons. As we approached the edge closest to the road, I realized that this was where the rest of the camp had gone. A line of parked cars stretched out along the lane. The foot traffic responded to the calling out of wares, demonstrations of blades, and the clank of pots and pans. Performers plucked away at stringed instruments. I marveled at the different worlds of the Kalderari. The one that faced inward, and the one that faced everyone else.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="9s406-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="9s406-0-0"><span data-offset-key="9s406-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="ini4-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="ini4-0-0"><span data-offset-key="ini4-0-0">I sat on the motorcycle, kicking back the stand, and bearing down on the kickstart. The engine cackled to life and the sweet smell of bluegas exhaust eddied around us. I looked back at Oksana and waved her forward. She hiked up the dress and straddled the seat behind me. She pulled in close. I felt her warmth fold in around me. I pulled both of her wrists forward, bringing her hands together to interlock around my waist. She clung tight as I slowly took off. My own inexperience was even more of a concern now.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="6cd8r-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6cd8r-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6cd8r-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="cingh-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="cingh-0-0"><span data-offset-key="cingh-0-0">The first stop was the Jagdhaus to retrieve the sidecar and settle any affairs. Oksana watched as I backed the bike up to the hitch that connected the motorcycle to the sidecar. She grimaced at the sidecar itself and looked at me.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="4n7ok-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="4n7ok-0-0"><span data-offset-key="4n7ok-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="bfbps-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="bfbps-0-0"><span data-offset-key="bfbps-0-0" style="font-style: italic;">She wasn’t going to be happy with what I’m going to ask her to do when we got close to the border.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="sa93-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="sa93-0-0"><span data-offset-key="sa93-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="ajmeg-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="ajmeg-0-0"><span data-offset-key="ajmeg-0-0">She remained on the back of the motorcycle instead of taking a place in the sidecar. I cherished the feeling of her close to me. Her eyes marveled at the passing countryside. We headed South down the highway, winding down roads for hours. The sun was high in the sky when we pulled off to a secluded spot in a small copse of trees.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="pptp-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="pptp-0-0"><span data-offset-key="pptp-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="a6a5s-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="a6a5s-0-0"><span data-offset-key="a6a5s-0-0">Oksana furrowed her brow as I pulled out the phrasebook. She’d begun associating it with me asking her things she didn’t want to do. She waited patiently as we rested in the shade of the trees.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="8oiuc-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8oiuc-0-0"><span data-offset-key="8oiuc-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="45m8p-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="45m8p-0-0"><span data-offset-key="45m8p-0-0">I did my best to explain that we needed to cross the border and she had to be ‘Amelie’ to do so. Her face held some disappointment, but more annoyance. She crossed her arms. Her pale blue eyes locked with mine and she nodded. Oksana bent, a gasp of pain escaped as her clothes loosened around her. The pale eyed hound emerged, looking up at me, head tilted. I smiled at her and opened the cover of the sidecar. I picked up the clothes and put them in the duffel then pushed it into the footwell. I removed all of my weapons, putting them into the sidecar. I’d rather not attract any unnecessary attention. I made sure my papers were in my riding jacket.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="1lmbt-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1lmbt-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1lmbt-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="ebp89-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="ebp89-0-0"><span data-offset-key="ebp89-0-0">I patted the seat and she readily hopped in. She sat with her head rising just above the lip of the sidecar. I started the motorcycle and merged back onto the road a few kilometers from the border crossing. It was only moments before I saw Amelie’s tongue lolling out in a dog’s grin as the wind swept around her.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="1sovp-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1sovp-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1sovp-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="amoqu-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="amoqu-0-0"><span data-offset-key="amoqu-0-0">I smiled in spite of myself. In spite of everything.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="39h05-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="39h05-0-0"><span data-offset-key="39h05-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="ebkt0-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="ebkt0-0-0"><span data-offset-key="ebkt0-0-0">The border was uneventful, normal paperwork sufficed for crossing over. Another half hour and we had arrived at Oberisk. The familiar streets, the old bridge, hotel, and small side streets. I could hear the whistle of trains at the station. No airship was currently docked.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="e7nt4-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="e7nt4-0-0"><span data-offset-key="e7nt4-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="b46i5-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="b46i5-0-0"><span data-offset-key="b46i5-0-0">I wove through the familiar streets and parked at my apartment. I beckoned the hound and pulled my gear from the sidecar. The door unlocked easily and we pressed in. I moved toward the flight of stairs, but the hound was intent on investigating, nose busily sniffing the air. The indecision whether to follow me or follow her instincts was clear. I clicked my tongue to make that decision a little easier. We climbed to my apartment—</span><span data-offset-key="b46i5-0-1" style="font-style: italic;">our</span><span data-offset-key="b46i5-0-2"> apartment—and I held the door. She trotted in, scenting the furniture and rugs. I dropped my duffel and shut the door behind us.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="6t3aq-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6t3aq-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6t3aq-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="b344q-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="b344q-0-0"><span data-offset-key="b344q-0-0">“Oksana. This is home.”</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="29sg5-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="29sg5-0-0"><span data-offset-key="29sg5-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="da5h-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="da5h-0-0"><span data-offset-key="da5h-0-0">She looked up at me. I motioned my hands up and she took the cue, I heard the uncomfortable sounds of change. Her face grimaced with the effort, she blinked a few times then smiled as the fog of her hound form faded from her.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="7jos2-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="7jos2-0-0"><span data-offset-key="7jos2-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _3ogUL public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="394qm" data-offset-key="dslvl-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="dslvl-0-0"><span data-offset-key="dslvl-0-0">I reached toward her and she responded by tackling me with a kiss.</span></div></div></div>Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435808207395330499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526285455094698909.post-63441030011091046572020-08-20T17:14:00.008-07:002020-08-21T09:52:22.444-07:00Report - The Hunter’s Bond - Part 1<span id="docs-internal-guid-85610f40-7fff-ec84-9dff-8b55b74bbdd9"><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-foo" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><strong style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Lead Operative:</strong> Bani Elkind (Solo)</p><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-eano" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><strong style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Person(s) of Interest:</strong> Oksana Elkind, Babik the Peddler, Ursi Makeela, Jonas Flaggard, Kostanza Landen</p><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-2a6ve" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><strong style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Expenses:</strong> 430 Lyra</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-bolmj" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3ler" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><strong style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Summary:</strong></p><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-93t70" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Investigating a second Werewolf sighting in the town of Muncingin in Alaman. A soldier on exchange with Burgundia and Alaman sighted what appeared to be a werewolf. I went to investigate and resolve the situation. Upon investigation, this sighting was confirmed. The temporary Kalderari settlements in the area were also interested in the sighting leading to complications. All situations were resolved peacefully.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-c2g34" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-e4p75" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><strong style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Outcome: </strong>Success</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-f1u49" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-1qef8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><strong style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Detail:</strong></p><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4uhn6" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><Journal Entry Attached></p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-fk3uh" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-aefm0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After facing down with the Kalderari, the effort of their engine ramped and the wheels ground through gravel, picking up speed. Sundown was nearly upon us and I had an hour to fulfill my bargain. I had no guarantees that these Kalderari would return and keep their word at setting up a meeting with the King.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-d5i4d" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-7dp24" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Earlier in the day, when I went to talk to Jonas—the soldier informant, he was on maneuvers scheduled to return to the barracks in an hour’s time. The closest place to wait in comfort was the train station.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-bq8im" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-39ltt" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That is where I met Kostanza Landen. She was an intriguing sight, sitting on the train platform with her attendant in tow. Noting her unique appearance—wavy black hair with a streak of white—and a book poking out of her bag that reminded me of Blanka’s own book.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-26nch" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-564fo" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I engaged her with trepidation, making it obvious that I knew she had magical inclinations, and feigning at not being terribly happy about it.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-1stdk" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-7p2u" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It might have been a symptom of being a stranger in a strange land. She was eager to prove herself; not fitting the burdening opinion I’d saddled her with. The conversation took a friendly turn and we made introductions.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3gqes" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-embhf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She explained that she was a Clovian national here on holiday with her husband. It was clear she was nobility. I made a subtle comment about the Legerdemain Accords, and it was clear she didn’t agree that commoners should have access to such power. This was dangerous waters that I navigated only briefly, passing it off saying, “I agree to disagree.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-5giib" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-pkkh" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her husband was staying at the Jagdhaus, the local hunting lodge. She wasn’t eager, but he’d insisted and she obliged. I had taken note of the location and said that I might see her there.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-17sam" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-b6efh" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I knew that Oksana would have to be placed in someone’s care while I tried to reason with the Kalderari. If Kostanza was at the Jagdhaus, surrounded by hunters, she could help. The bloodbath that may ensue would be better dealt with men carrying all manner of longguns. I might be putting many lives at risk, but I hoped that, perhaps, it wouldn’t come to that.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-7k3nh" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-7pcuv" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Deciding that the Jagdhaus was my destination, I sped away from the hotel with Oksana resting in the sidecar as a hound. I moved off of main streets, down dirt roads and past wide open fields. The landscapes were wide and flat, allowing little cover and little secrecy. The staccato of the engine likely didn’t allow for much stealth, either. I guarantee anyone could hear the sound distinctly from kilometers away.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4olac" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4o9l7" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finally, I emerged on the road toward the hunting lodge. Nothing was barring my way, but the sun had only just touched the horizon at this point.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-7t6bp" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-17tik" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The lodge was an ancient homestead that had been expanded over time. Parking areas had emerged for both the residents and the visitors. It had been built on an incline giving it a majestic stance overlooking the rising road. A shingle with the name and the proprietorship stood at the entrance from the road and another stood boldly over the front door.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-42f00" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3t8be" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I backed into a space in the upper parking lot, as close as possible to the front door. I pulled back the cover of the sidecar and motioned for the hound to follow. She looked and followed without hesitation. Men sitting on the front patio sipping at amber liquids and smoking cigars nodded as I approached. I smiled and nodded in return as I moved past them without engaging. I took note of their state and the number of empty glasses on the table. I glanced back at the hound.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-blafn" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-lju5" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Maybe this wasn’t the safest place, after all?</em></p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-6lh5d" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8onfj" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pressing through the front door was an explosive sensation. The well lubricated laughter hit me first followed by the bluish haze of cigar smoke. I had been in rooms like this before. I could imagine the assault on the senses for Oksana. I glanced back, her pale blue eyes checked the hunters, but maintained focus on my steps.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-2k77v" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-1qu73" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I shook my head. I had forgotten the frivolity of these events. A successful hunt, libations, cigars, and enough bluster to power an airship.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-altr3" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-6lto7" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With a polished smile, I moved through, keeping myself from coughing on the fouling mixture of cigar smoke. The man at the front desk was dead sober, his eyes watering slightly. He was a professional, though, and greeted me warmly—his engagement <em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">almost </em>genuine. I spent a moment setting up a room and looked around the lobby, dining area, and out onto the patio. If Kostanza was here, she was not going to be in and amongst the gentlemen.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-advpq" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-bg768" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I asked the man at the front desk for “the Landens” and, as expected, he promptly pointed out the patio doors. I pushed through the patio doors, realizing that the hound had been spared a majority of the smoke inhalation as there was a clear line where the cloud began to form from about waist high. The smoke rushed into the sky as I exited.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-9lfcn" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-2lj50" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I took a deep breath to clear my lungs. The patio itself was an overlook on the surrounding forest. The sunset was setting the trees alight with a red hue. The hills flanked the lodge, rising around the rear of the building creating a nestled space in nature. The patio had a commanding view of the same flat countryside that I had been speeding moments earlier. Shadows grew long, we were at the last moments of sundown.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-14kdl" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4dvoc" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A lone woman, in fact, the <em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">only </em>person on the patio at this time of day, sat with her back to the doors. I could see the well groomed black wavy hair spilling over her shoulders. The shock of white hair interlaced with the black like an announcement of her magical inheritance.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-6o78i" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3pfik" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Mrs. Landen?” I said warmly.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-5ia5q" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-ibvo" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She turned with surprise.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-dtpin" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-achci" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Ah! Mr. Elkind!” She looked at the darkening skies, “When you did not arrive earlier, I figured you had forgotten about me.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-d4sm1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8o0pp" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I smiled at the comment, she seemed genuinely delighted to see me. It was not entirely surprising, considering that I was among the handful of sober men in the lodge at the moment.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8ea1n" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-6mr40" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She offered to buy me a drink and I accepted graciously. She stood and made her way over to the railing that overlooked the surrounding forest. She leaned on the railing while gazing at the forest. I joined her, hearing Oksana follow with her light clicking.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8h898" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-66dvd" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I gave Lady Landen my attention, casually sipping at the drink in hand, in spite of the heightened awareness of the setting sun. She seemed to be preparing herself to express her displeasure at the situation. I had only moments to spare, but I knew this connection was important.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-e928m" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-chl7m" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Did you hunt?” I asked her.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-bsr37" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-a1qcb" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh, no, mon ami. That is my husband.” She waved a light gray gloved hand with the dismissal.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-7lmiq" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-s1rn" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“My husband is attending,” she sighed and rolled her eyes, “to his many friends. I am left to my own devices here. I am, how would you say, a trophy? A prize? He expects me to stay until the week’s end, but I will not.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-47tm8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-cjeav" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I chuckled at her disclosure.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8jhps" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-7k0k8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You think this is funny. Yes?” She gave a dangerous look, “It is not.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8b3qs" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8ct7d" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh, I understand. The situation is not in your favor.” I said, and glanced through the glass doors at the wild gesticulations and boisterous laughter vibrating the glass, “I’ve forgotten what this was like.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-bf8od" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-430au" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What do you mean?” Her lips pursed as she asked.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-b38fq" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-157q3" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I married into wealth. And <em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">that</em>,” I nodded toward another gout of laughter, “was what I was expected to participate in. It’s not in my nature. I appreciate a true hunt, even living off the land in the wild. This? This is purely sport.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-l1np" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-cbbe1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She nodded, her eyes squinted as if she was seeing more of me than she had before.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-bj4si" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4is7s" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Mrs. Landen? I have a request.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-9a53c" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-17jdl" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I paused, genuinely unsure how to approach this. She inclined her chin and tilted her head, possibly endeared enough to play the part I was going to thrust on her. I looked down at Oksana. The hound had settled to the floor near my feet.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-d4i4i" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-dqgh6" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I need you to look after my hound. I brought her for the hunt, but I have some business I need to take care of first.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-1ujgm" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4s6oh" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I could feel my heart beating wildly in my temples. The reality of the situation was dawning on me as I made the request.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3fag8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-ccri3" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I looked out at the forest, looking for movement, the shimmer of eyes in the near darkness. This place with it’s drunken army of hunters would be swarmed with <em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">true </em>hunters. Leaving Oksana here was almost worse than trying to leave town at full speed. I was risking lives in a way that I never expected. A full complement of sharp-eyed, fully coherent soldiers would be hard pressed to keep a clan of werewolves at bay. I hoped I wasn’t making a terrible mistake.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-de9d2" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-adm2" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She saw my reaction and tried to make sense of it. I straightened, pulling my mask back into place. I bent down and put my hand on the back of the hound who sat up immediately, eyes locking with mine.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-amdpg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4ck5d" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“This is Amelie. She’s an incredible beast.” I said, looking back toward Kostanza, “If you could watch her and make sure she’s in good company while I get my business done, I would greatly appreciate it.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3t0lf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-b61b3" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was a moment’s hesitation from her.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-efkc8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8bhbb" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I am not an animal person, but this I can do. She does not need anything special, yes?”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-1h9a0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-49g8d" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No. Just some company. I’ll return shortly.” I said, smiling over my welling anxiety, “Thank you. I’ll make sure everything is in order in my room before I go.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-epdj1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-bdr7a" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I beckoned for the hound to follow as I moved back into the smoke filled lobby.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-2qc7s" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-31g81" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I made my way upstairs to the room and this is when the hound paused briefly with disdain as we passed through the threshold of smoke. Our room was smaller then the suites we passed, but, for myself, it was just a place to sleep.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-46tm0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-a42o1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If I live to sleep here.</em></p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-7j3p" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3f69n" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Entering the room, the amenities were arranged neatly on the rustic wooden dresser and table. A yellow oak writing desk—narrow, but functional—was tucked in at the foot of the lodgepole framed bed. There was a small bathroom nook that seemed a bit of an awkward addition to what may have simply been a bedroom in the original construction. A simple red and gray knotted wool rug filled the center of the wooden floor, adding slightly to the comfort of the room. Surprisingly, there was a dog bed in the corner.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3o2m" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8ie3j" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The hound investigated the room and then sat on the rug, looking at me. I pulled out the phrasebook and worked out just enough to get instructions across.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-b06ti" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8qfat" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I need you to stay in the lodge if anything bad happens.” I said in broken Beryat.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-fd9v3" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4rhde" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m sure I had thoroughly butchered the language in the attempt. The hound looked at me and tilted its head. I tried again.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-ee7qc" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-7m30f" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Stay with Kostanza until I get back.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-6j3b" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-20bj4" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">More broken Beryat and an increased tilt to the hound’s head. I remembered her explanation, that she wasn’t as “mind” or “think” as the hound. That little tidbit had been nearly impossible to decipher from our time at the hotel.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-81l05" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-cpr1s" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This is not working out like I’d planned.</em></p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-5cgh2" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-djrmc" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was exasperated. It was going to be nearly impossible to keep her safe. If the Kalderari decided they didn’t like how I tried to resolve this situation, bad things would happen. Drunken hunters, a lodge open to the forest on all sides, this feral woman that couldn’t understand me to save herself, and, worst of all, Kostanza. I was putting all of them at risk with this pale attempt to secret Oksana away under their noses.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-f74g6" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-38i7g" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Well, fuck.” I breathed aloud.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-al4o2" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-pvmd" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I had better be damn good at disarming the situation or I’ll be a bloody smear with the rest of them.</em></p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-cid4g" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-a75cq" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I leaned into the small writing desk, taking a page from the stack of letterhead in the corner of the desk.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-cfplv" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-7sia2" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Property of Bani Elkind. If found, please contact Angelica Bess.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-57tjl" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-7ovj4" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I penned the message, putting the Nachtrichter main telephone number. I straightened, folding the message in half and slid it into my jacket. I opened the door to the room and beckoned the animal to exit. She loped out and I looked around the room, with a grimace, then closed the door behind me.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4m2jg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-689i2" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I moved back to the patio. Kostanza seemed to be a little more relaxed, warming from the alcohol. Her glass had been refilled. Gas lamps were lit on the patio, casting a gentler light than the harsh electric lights would. A large bonfire had been erected in a pit and was being tended to carefully by one of the attendants. The drinking and smoking had made its way out onto the patio, but Kostanza had a safe buffer from the others.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-657je" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-74bpq" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Thank you, again, for taking care of Amelie. Good luck with changing your husband’s mind.” I said with a smile.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-43hsm" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-avogu" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She smiled warmly at the mention.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4u023" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-cdk2s" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh, it will not be a problem, Monsieur,” she said with an arched eyebrow as she patted her bag, the book of magicks clearly visible in its mouth.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-eo8t8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-fi257" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then she gave me a strange look.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-cjpkl" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-2hc1o" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You <em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">are </em>coming back, yes?”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-f09ui" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-cks9o" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes, I plan to.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4m596" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-fd0sc" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She reacted to the uncertainty of my words by scrunching her face.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-cdo3o" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-dp9nr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I looked down at the hound standing quietly at my side who was gazing at Kostanza. I gave a light whistle and the pale blue eyes looked up, shining in the darkness of her tousled black hair. I flagged her toward Kostanza and she padded over, nails clicking lightly on the stone patio.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3r964" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-f7qoc" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kostanza looked hesitant, but reached toward her, awkwardly patting the dog on the head. There was a moment that seemed to swell in Kostanza with the interaction. She scratched at the hound’s head and the hound leaned into her. Oksana enjoyed the moment, then turned her head and locked eyes with Kostanza.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3erer" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4l18v" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My heart jumped a little.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-9hbo5" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-6p75v" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“An … unusual creature,” Kostanza said and cut off.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-519i9" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-aeedb" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“She’s precious. And very, <em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">very </em>well behaved.” I said it in a measured tone then spouted, “I will be back.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-dc1u0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-31g6" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I turned quickly, taking a deep breath, and briskly walked toward the lobby.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-28s5p" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-e4s6" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The one person whom you can trust her with is the only who could truly discern her nature. Could this plan get any worse?</em></p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-9msp5" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-5mp91" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Mr. Elkind?”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3d23v" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-liim" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A voice called out behind me. When I turned, the man at the front desk was looking in my direction, a sharpened pencil in hand.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-6fq8o" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4bivm" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Will you be joining us for a hunt at 07:00 or at 11:00?”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-etcip" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8t58a" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I will attempt 07:00, but please feel free to fill my spot if I do not arrive. I will attend at 11:00 otherwise.” I said, feeling antsy, looking toward the front door.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-5b1lc" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8d0ie" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Very well. If you can let us know beforehand, that would be most appreciated.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-bd2mk" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3806k" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I pushed through the front doors and took the steps down two at a time. My heart was racing. All of this had likely pushed me beyond my promised meeting time. Looking at the motorcycle, I tossed the folded note on the duffel and snapped the cover in place. I reached down and pulled the pin that joined the sidecar to the motorcycle, moved forward slightly and dropped the pin back into the sidecar’s side of the connection.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-9datg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-fqbhg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I pulled the leather cap over my head and pulled down my goggles. The motor clapped to life, the sweet smell of bluegas exhaust filled my nose as I pulled away from the parking space and started my way back toward the Kalderari camp. I patted myself down along the way. The Revjakt shotgun was in place facing out in it’s sling on my left side. The Toro revolver was under my right hand. I took a deep breath, opening up the motorcycle as I turned onto the highway toward the camp.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-ag02t" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-6lko0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My experience with the motorcycle was paltry, at best. Sure, I was competent, but only on clear roads. It had been a splurge after my divorce. Cassandra had wanted nothing to do with them. The divorce opened that door again. I purchased it to spite her disdain, but it was as if the ghost of our relationship continued to haunt me. Keeping me from spending more than a fleeting amount of time with it. I intended to change that, but, perhaps, this wasn’t the best situation to test myself against. The roads were dark and my sense of ease with the motorcycle faded quickly with the remaining light.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-70fuh" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3dbig" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I retraced the path in my head. My time with maps had given me a sense of the lay of the land. Right now, I wanted the most direct route to the Kalderari camp.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-9h9an" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-ar1ti" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This had to work. I have no other choice.</em></p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3kceu" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-en65c" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The words moved blurringly fast through my head as I sped down the darkened roads.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-rs97" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-jm9n" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">No, I had a choice. I always had a choice.</em></p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-7h38q" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-cftcl" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was nearly pitch black with a thin moon overhead. There was a light on the road ahead, an electric lamp showing an obstacle. As I grew closer, the lights from the motorcycle lit up the side of a tractor that was stuck sideways in the road. It looked as if it stalled when moving between fields. The angle of the incident made it apparent that the intention was a little more sinister. Men in long coats were ineffectively tugging and pulling on the sides of the tractor. As I got closer, the men looked toward me and shrugged.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-eqfpc" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-71rkg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My hands got itchy. I grit my teeth and goosed the engine, rounding off over the edge of the road and riding up one side of the ditch, I teetered a bit with the unfamiliar maneuver, then back moved back down the lip toward the road, cleanly skirting the obstacle. I exhaled into the blast of wind as I sped up, but then saw another set of lights turn on in the distance then start moving toward me. I checked my mirrors to see if the others behind me were attempting to flank, but I couldn’t see them in the darkness. </p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-2muip" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-252bu" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The steely grip of panic was attempting to clutch at me. I moved forward at an even pace, keeping the motorcycle in check. The car slowed as we moved closer. I echoed their stance, slowing, but not stopping. Their lights were blinding, but my single headlight shone against a hand raised from the driver side door. I moved slowly closer, dropping my legs to glide along the ground. The car halted, a familiar squeak.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-2mor6" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-b039t" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I growled to myself, recognizing the trap. I immediately cranked the throttle, giving the driver side door a wide berth. I hugged the bike, laying low, and sped past the stopped car. I could hear some angry shouts and a grind of gears as they began to turn the car around on the narrow road.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-ashdu" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-c8nbn" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I dropped back on my speed seeing that a turn was coming up, gravel laced the road and ditching my bike at this moment meant certain doom. I jockeyed gingerly around the roundabout and saw my straight shot to the Kalderari camp.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-b12vp" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-7gcb4" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Straight into the den of wolves.</em></p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-i3lr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-b3hj3" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I cursed under my breath. Of all the brilliant ideas I’ve had, this was likely the very pinnacle of ludicrousness. This ironic courtship with honor may very well end tonight.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-aeo2s" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4ncdq" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another pair of headlights were moving my way, directly from the Kalderari camp. I braced my left hand dropping from the handlebars to my waist, fingering the stock of the shotgun through my coat. There were smiles on the passengers, some late night shopping from the locals. They didn’t give me a second look as I moved past them. The gathering of Kalderari wagons was just beyond.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3s31p" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8vm3n" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My heart was in my throat. I pulled quickly to the edge of the wagons, close to where Babik’s wagon was. I killed the engine, threw down the kickstand, and ripped the goggles and leather cap from my head and hung them on the handlebars. I skimmed the edge of the wagons, looking for immediate threats.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4ihup" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-6kdn1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If I could just talk to them…</em></p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4k74k" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-c0nm5" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I maneuvered through the wagons and I happened on Babik’s wagon. The small boy that I’d seen earlier, looked sidelong at me, completely unperturbed, as I approached. He was standing close to the wagon, after his glance, he turned away from me.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-7g6oh" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-6plg9" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Where’s Babik?”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-bgq2r" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-612ar" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was a recognizable grunt from beyond the boy. Babik was on his back, working on one of the wheel housings of the wagon. I saw a flash of headlights cast shadows from the road.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-392br" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-30jju" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">They’re here.</em></p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-5c3nk" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4rlrm" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I moved to the side of the wagon, opposite the boy. He watched me with vague interest, but his eyes never wavered. I unbuttoned my jacket, letting my iron show through, facing the closest entrance to Babik’s alcove.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-36c2u" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3jh0s" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Babik struggled, his twisted legs giving him trouble as he stood. The boy helped him, eyes still on me. Two men I recognized rounded the corner and glared at me from the entrance. My hand was open, ready to draw. I felt heat rise in my face as they stepped forward.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3l3rk" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4q41e" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I requested an audience. Did you tell him?”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-1340o" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-5hsj0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I bobbed my head toward Babik who was taking in the scene.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-fqig9" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-crfn" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The older of the youths sneered.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4isb" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-7cdr2" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“He has no authority here.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-6bfj6" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-1ur9e" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’m <em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">giving </em>him that authority,” I said, “Or you could always take a run at me. I’ll kill at least one of you before I go down. Do you want to take that chance?”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-bsjkj" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-36p5h" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The older one stepped back from his predatory stance and gave a high trilling whistle. Goosebumps ran all the way up my back all the hairs on the back of my neck bristled. I felt an eerie shift in the air, a low rustle of motion as the whole camp’s focus was now squarely on me. </p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-6a0i5" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-cq84t" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eyes appeared everywhere.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-aimd" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8gofo" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I clenched my jaw.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-bogsq" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8lu2p" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What I would give for a half dozen silver grenades right now.</em></p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-c1ua3" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-81qc5" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Now, now. Let’s not be hasty. The man has something to say, maybe he’s worth listening to, right?” He said, attempting an endearing nod at the Kalderari youths.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-cs6t3" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4k23q" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He looked back toward me, his eyes pleading. I let the tension slide away, but I was still on high alert. He flagged at the men at the edge of the camp, but they barely acknowledged him. He stepped forward to them.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3bef9" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8da1n" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“He wants an audience with the King. What’s the harm in that?”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-c3576" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-1imrq" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Moments passed. I held my breath and so did the entire camp. I saw teeth grit in the older of the young men. Babik held his hands up in a gesture to calm the situation.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8s8to" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4j4at" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I will vouch for this man.” He said, looking back at me over his shoulder, “He is my guest.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-85hdl" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-5h8lt" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will never forget that feeling. Babik was little more than a stranger whom I had briefly exchanged words with. While the exchange was genuine, I never expected it to lead to this moment. I could feel my face flush in the moment and I swallowed against the lump in my throat.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-fn85m" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-2cqg3" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He turned back to me and I bowed at the waist toward him.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-ct31o" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-60hr9" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“There’s no point in showing your weapons like that. It’d best if you button that coat up or you’ll catch cold.” He said plainly, but asserted the suggestion with a raised eyebrow. </p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-as01s" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-1dvf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He looked around at all the players. Tempers were still on edge, but every motion was slow and deliberate.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-21n5f" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3bk0s" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Let’s make way to speak to the King.” He announced it, putting his arms on my shoulders to guide me as well as shield me.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3td9i" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-5eejq" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The others folded in around us as we passed. Heat from the crowd, the smell of close bodies, sweat, perfume, and the musk of travel. I knew that there were as many lycanthropes as there were humans. Some showed their true natures more than others. A woman, big as a truck, nearly resembling Bjorn in stature, stood to block the way. Her body rippled with muscles as she barely kept her change at bay. She bared sharp, lengthened teeth as her nose flared.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-24g76" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-e9vkn" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Babik lowered his eyes, but I didn’t. I looked at her, not defiantly, but with purpose. I almost spoke, but held my tongue in the moment. There was a flurry of words from around me, nothing I could understand. A moment passed, as she locked eyes with me and then stepped to the side to let us pass.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-2av" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-b5luo" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You test yourself, or perhaps you think well of my standing in the family.” Babik whispered at my back, nearly breathless, “I’ll let you know that you shouldn’t. I am not well respected here.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-c9q4i" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3bcbb" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I watched the faces, nostrils flaring and eyes smoldering. Those that lined the path eventually gave way as we approached.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4galm" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8bqif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was brought by Babik before a fire pit. He turned, looking at the others, making gentle motions for them to retreat. Most did, but others hesitated. He waited for them to oblige before proceeding. It appeared that this event had changed into more of a spectacle than an offense to tradition. While the tension had lessened, there was a different tension; an anticipation of what would come next.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-24t2p" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-a32qu" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Babik nodded to my jacket.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-1jcvh" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-9pn9" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We need to disarm you before you see the king.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-9ttuv" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-21gm7" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I nodded. I unbuttoned my jacket and held up my arms.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-9bb7i" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-dhqek" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Is there anything I should be aware of?” He asked, there was a bead of sweat rolling down the side of his face. The pressure of this moment was not lost on him.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-34e7i" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-9iqsk" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s exactly what you see. There is nothing sharp.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4fhuh" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3o4tb" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I jutted out my hip with the Revjakt and he pulled it and put it on a table that stood at our flank. He then pulled the Toro revolver along with the bandolier.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-epk7f" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-fb41k" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“This is all silver?”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-86bcv" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-92cpj" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I nodded.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-5pccs" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-cki1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That’s spending money.” He said, looking up at me with a smirk, “If this all goes well, I’m sure we can put it to good use.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-87fqn" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-25jd" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That gratitude swelled again. I smiled through the tension.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4khoj" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-67u90" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes, we’ll do that. When all this is over.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-cbc4h" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-bj8oq" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Whatever ‘over’ means by the end of this.</em></p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-te18" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-c66os" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The thought was sobering. Hundreds of eyes on me standing at the edge of a fire pit. Waiting in anticipation to that end. Feeling like a blood sacrifice to a wolfen god.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-btqf2" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-eqlaf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Bani, what the hell were you thinking.</em></p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-11fsq" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-9c6qs" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Anything else?” Babik looked at me, his eyes were wide.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8stae" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-92v1v" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I have nothing else.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-ahktr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-c8nlb" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He breathed deep and then pulled a blade and its sheath from his own beltline.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8647t" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-ou3a" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Never be completely defenseless when in audience. You should always be able to bare your teeth.” He said, hooking the sheath to my my belt and patting the blade.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-9jsl6" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-29btd" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Suddenly, the tradition of wearing a shortsword in Montenica came a little more into focus.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-78rk7" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-7j168" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Babik removed his coat and tossed it over the weapons on the table.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3ltk2" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-k5io" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I will know if someone has touched it.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-14kui" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-955n3" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I nodded, and thanked him. Being robbed was truly the least of my worries at the moment.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-7dn6t" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-fbire" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“This man seeks an audience with the king!” Babik called out and stepped back to the edge of the circle that had formed around us.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-6dkef" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-70kqh" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A woman stepped from the more majestic of the wagons. She was similarly dressed to Vadim Buckley’s consort at his camp when we visited Neuchatel. Colorful silks wrapped around her and she twirled with grace, moving close and running her hands over me seductively. The close dance that ensued was an incredibly alluring patdown. She moved behind me, pressing her body up to mine. She tapped the blade that Babik put in place at my waist, then dipped to run her hands up my inner thighs. She punctuated the experience by grabbing my crotch.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-at43f" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8r350" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I tensed. She waited there briefly, her hot breath on the back of my neck, then retreated. Her hand went back to my waist, tracing along my beltline, circling back around to the front. She turned toward the wagon and gave a slow curtsy toward the wagon.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-dujmv" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-drm1v" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The wagon ahead of me rocked slightly and a slight, but chiseled, man with sundrenched skin stepped down. He wore a blue shirt unbuttoned to the bottom of his chest with black cloth pants held up by a bejeweled belt. The pant cuffs went down to his knees, showing bare legs to what almost appeared to be well adorned slippers.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-2c3h8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-f2hl2" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Who comes before the king?”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-2ncc5" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3cgrh" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He looked in my direction. His eyes seemed hazy. It was hard to know if he could clearly see me.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-5g9hu" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-ftumt" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I am Bani Elkind.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-e6f5k" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-5sv6c" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Bani.” He said my name pensively, testing the flavor of it in his mouth.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8prlu" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-7t489" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He continued.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-e354b" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-a15c8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I am Ursi Makeela, I lead this tribe.” His eyes wandered over me, it was unclear what he was seeing, “What is your purpose for this calling of council?”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-2k2e6" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-dhtd8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was strange, like a moment out of time. A knight begging his king’s acceptance. It chafed against my sensibilities.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-cqija" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4t54m" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I wish you to stay your sentence of the one you consider the aberration.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-2g1s1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-1raou" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was a stir in the crowd. I looked around and heard fervent and angry whispers. I needed to understand the reason for their bloodlust. I waited for his response.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-69ils" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-adhvl" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You are an outsider. Why? Why does it matter to you?”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-9o5m8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-epul1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I work for the government. It is my charge to protect those who need protection.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-dqnrj" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-ast43" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He let out a belly laugh.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-6vd64" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-bfuo4" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Your government drives us from place to place. You harass us at the crossroads. You spy on us with your police. I ask, then, who protects us from the government?”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-6oral" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-75i6p" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The words stung because they were true. It was something I had no control over.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-fgqgp" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3tme5" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Ursi, these things take time.” I sighed at the pathetic response, “Like Babik did here, I will stand for you and your people. But, between their rules and your traditions, we must find a compromise.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-1itp1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-1shmc" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There were some growls from the edges of the circle. I looked around.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-15qa6" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8tdvl" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“My people know I’m here. If you spill blood, there will be repercussions. Not just for you, but for all Kalderari. Guns, armies, the locals would all stand against you.” I turned to the edges of the circle, “You would lose your way of life. You would be hunted.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8of6q" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-ckufr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The King’s expression soured further with my words.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-e04l7" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-b934p" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We would not be the Hunted. We would be the Hunters. This has happened before and we would survive.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-2f17m" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-1mjcv" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t want you to <em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">just</em> survive. I want you to <em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">thrive</em>. Your people deserve to exist and find balance in this new world. I am someone who can help achieve that.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-495hq" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-7aohu" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I meant every word.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-30oji" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-442mc" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We follow your rules in your places. But our traditions will always guide us. Your words mean nothing in this place. Especially when you ask us to go against our very core beliefs.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-572oo" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3r8d4" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I only ask that we find a way to co-exist. Help me find a way to help you.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4nrso" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-64p4m" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He rolled his eyes and stepped forward. I could feel heat radiating from him as he stood close.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-eu9v5" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-bud58" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Even for this feral beast? It is a danger to you as well. It’s best that it is put down.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-fp291" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-5mb12" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t see that. I see a woman displaced.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-63r7h" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-17aia" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“A woman? Interesting.” He rocked back on his heels with the words. “We had our suspicions, but she has kept herself well hidden.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4rpmg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-cnmrv" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He squinted in my direction, “I find it hard to believe the government cares about one woman that you’d considered <em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">cursed</em>.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-1vm45" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-eu8d4" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The organization I represent cares as much as its members. And <em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I</em> care. She is in my custody and under my protection. She will be my responsibility.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-fkfrg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8ffop" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Your responsibility.” He said flatly, “You know nothing of what you speak.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-5cabe" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4hfj7" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Why not?” I said, feeling defiance rise in me, “You don’t know me.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-6kqo4" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-6qag2" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I know your name, Bani.” He tested my name again on his tongue.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-d2813" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8usse" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Her name is Oksana. She is from the Keurg Union, hiding deep in the forests with her parents until they were taken from her. Men hunted them and killed them. She fled.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-u1ci" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-e96jm" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“As well they should have.” He said, his eyes narrowed, but his tone was intrigued.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-bk342" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-fhrhh" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“She took the form of a hound to hide and lost herself for years. A man, the Taxidermist in town, took her in as a pet, not knowing her nature. He died in his sleep weeks ago.” I felt heat rise in my face, “She deserves something more than this end.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-aot25" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-10iam" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You know much about her, sure. But this is where you, an outsider, are wrong. She does not deserve anything without a family. We are family. We watch out for each other, we keep each other in line, <em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">we </em>protect each other.” He paused briefly considering, “As you protect your people, do you protect her?”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-aivgq" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-1j4kp" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes. I take responsibility for her. My people will be her family. We will provide a place for her to live the life she deserves.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-2v81d" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8necf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You will be her family?” He stated, then his hazy gray eyes coming the closest they had to locking in to mine.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-7qiid" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8fpg6" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes. That’s what I said. I take responsibility for her.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-21vjt" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-2tr57" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I stood firmly in place. The heated exchange didn’t provoke a response from the surrounding faces. I chanced a look and there was a strange mixture of expressions: some with unmasked bewilderment, others with firmly entrenched frowns, but many, many others showing a thin sort of respect. The kind of respect you give to someone who stoically stands his ground in front of a firing squad.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3fbd4" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-ocnu" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Most importantly, none were baring their teeth. That was the near universal response just moments earlier.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-ar6tl" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-80m2g" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ursi considered for a moment, then turned abruptly and walked back toward his wagon.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-bv1db" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8iftb" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His exit was like a sudden exhale. I let myself deflate as he walked away. I was immediately exhausted. I remained in place, a little less erect, but still standing at attention. I glanced behind me. Babik was there, he nodded with pursed lips, looking impressed and more than a little proud.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-7lc3k" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-mos3" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Moments passed. I felt weak, holding the weight of the world on my shoulders. The crackling of the fire pit was the only thing that broke the silence.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-egtel" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-cpndu" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The wagon creaked and Ursi returned to the entryway, holding a large tome. It had bookmark ribbons protruding from the top and a well worn red leather cover. It was expertly laced along the spine, holding it together. I made a guess that this book was likely the oldest thing in the camp.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-f0vef" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8t5sv" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He moved forward, eyes down on the pages that he’d turned to. He navigated around the fire and back to where I stood without so much as a glance. He raised his head, standing close enough to reach out and put a hand on my shoulder.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3krs" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-9csb6" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was able to see the tome up close. The page was well worn, and the words themselves were a busy mess. My mind gave up trying to make sense of it almost immediately.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-clh52" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-dudrn" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“How far will you go to protect her, Bani?” He said, eyes still on the book.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-97og3" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3onu2" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ursi’s words rattled me.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-6ugld" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-csp85" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’m not sure what you mean.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-amt56" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-akkhr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You walked into this camp ready to die to protect this woman.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-51i12" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-ahedc" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I nodded.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3ifpl" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-eg4s2" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Would you be willing to live for her?”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-eptqc" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-c894l" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I, umm, I… what do you mean?”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8jf9t" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-e3jgb" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There were whispers echoing around me. Some gasps erupted. The sounds like a babbling brook began to percolate around me. The King raised his eyes and looked around him sternly. The babbling brook immediately silenced.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-6l6lg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-fpq94" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I think you know what I mean, Bani Elkind. Government man.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-aukd8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-fh0r7" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I felt the blood drain from my face. Ursi gave me a smirk, then tilted his head while looking in my direction with those hazy eyes.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-echu1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-blqdd" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“She can <em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">live </em>if she’s part of a family who will be there to protect her and, if necessary, control her. This tradition is as old as the Kalderari, our family. Those who do not have family put all of us at risk.” He spread a hand to those in the circle, “If you wish to protect her, you must become family and you must marry her.”</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-2eum2" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-bmlt2" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I froze.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-7sahp" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-eijt0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Take your time, but don’t take long. Dinner is cooking.” Ursi said, his smirk widening.</p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-1ju7d" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie _3ogUL _2QAo- _1iXso public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8di88" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Damnit. Bjorn. I am never going to hear the end of this.</em></p></div></span>Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435808207395330499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526285455094698909.post-15261016896506280672020-08-08T14:55:00.009-07:002020-08-10T15:58:47.484-07:00Journal - Dog Days<span id="docs-internal-guid-58cc7b74-7fff-f83f-e605-f75a2b841505"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In my head, each scenario played out poorly. I glanced back at the hound as it loped along nearly in the heel position. There was just enough distance as an indicator that, though it followed, we were strangers. It was nearly skin and bones. She was nearly skin and bones.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As we walked back to the hotel, I ran my hand down my face and as I thought about what came next.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yet another stray.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I sighed again, moving through the cemetery and into the city streets. The cemetery was on the edge of town; not too distant from the hotel itself. This is where the soldier saw the creature. Gleaming eyes in the night. Predatory, but only in principle. Not in action. He tracked it to the taxidermist’s outbuilding as the wolflike creature evaded on two legs, slipping behind the attached outbuilding.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jonas, this soldier, knew to report to his chain of command. From his fawning, it was clear that he was enamored with the idea of his words making it to our ears. Nachtrichter. We were these mysterious protectors. Holders of hidden knowledge. Unflinching in the face of the dangerous and uncanny. If Jonas knew the simplicity of the things I struggled over, he’d likely think less of the role.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That is, until he had to make those decisions himself.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I walked in deep thought, listening to the rhythmic clicking of it’s claws on the cobblestones behind me. Each click was a reminder that I had a problem that I didn’t know how to deal with.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Earlier that day, a short trip to the Kalderari camp told me that the two legged wolfen creature was not one of theirs. In fact, they were here to dispatch the beast. It was an aberration. At that moment, during my conversation with Babik the Peddler, I saw a level of fanaticism that </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">nearly</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> bordered their passion for blustery showmanship to sell their wares. Nearly the same level of fanaticism when they spoke about when maneuvering to protect their family. Babik had assured me a splendid price on an “anytool” if I were to dispatch the beast myself. The tool itself was eye-catching, reminiscent of the sword that one of the Rhinkani wielded against us. He said his people had the secret of their creation.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Earlier, this offer seemed like a clean transaction, no strings attached. Kill the beast and return for your prize.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s still an option.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I shook my head at the thought, the words were too painful to keep in my head. Trying to do right by everyone always makes for conflict. I was already rolling my eyes at Bjorn’s words; the words I knew he’d say.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I moved up to the front door of the hotel, then looked at the dog. It stood expectantly first, then sat, waiting patiently. I held up a hand.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Stay.” I said, unnecessarily.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I walked in. The attendant at the front desk raised his head and his eyes moved in my direction. The man looked like a typical Almani, sandy brown hair with pale blue eyes that were nearly gray.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Do you allow dogs?” I said in High Alaman.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He gave me a look of disgust that morphed quickly into contempt. I shrugged at him and his gaze dropped back down to the desk. Mumbling to himself while shaking his head.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I squinted at the restaurant with a bar adjoining the hotel lobby. I walked in, moving to the bartender.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Can I order here?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He nodded. His wizened face was covered in freckles and now split with a smile as he saw a paying customer.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I want a rare steak. Nevermind, don’t cook it, just bring it out in butcher paper. I’ll pay full price.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He looked at me twice, his smile fading between glances, then nodded with a bewildered look. He left the counter and moved into the kitchen.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maybe she wouldn’t be there when I get back?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The thought was wishful thinking. I looked at the menu and thumbed out the Lyra ahead of time. Adding a few extra for a tip and another few for the exchange to Alamani Marks. The man returned quickly with a brown paper wrapped portion. He plopped it on the counter in front of me and I pushed the pile of Lyra toward him. At first his look soured, but counting through it, he nodded approvingly. A few of the other patrons looked on with mild distaste.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What?” I challenged the onlookers, “You don’t like a good rare steak?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This triggered queasy looks from the patrons who quickly returned to their conversations. I picked up the paper wrapped slab and moved outside.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She was still there, unmoved. Her tail wagged sluggishly when she saw me. I moved over to where my motorcycle and sidecar were parked and sat on the raised stone planter box that was attached to the hotel. She moved forward, her nails clicking, and looked curiously at me, her nose scenting the air. I unwrapped the paper and placed the heft of meat on the ground. She looked at the portion, then looked back at me. I nodded, then motioned toward the steak.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She moved deliberately, smelling the meat and then taking it gingerly in her jaws moving under the wheel well of an adjacent car and proceeded to messily devour it.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">---</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It had been the taxidermist that was the common thread to both the soldier’s and the Kalderari’s stories. I decided to investigate the next morning. Whatever it was, I would rather face the beast when I was rested and had the advantage of daylight.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The place was unkempt. The windows stared darkly on the sun washed street. It appeared that all maintenance keeping the grass at bay had ceased and it was starting to give the appearance of being abandoned. I moved around the property, seeing signs of disuse. I lifted the lid of the steel bin adjoining the large barn and was greeted by a swarm of flies and the reek of discarded guts. I quickly backed away and swore at my stupidity, but the oily smell clung to the inside of my nose. I took a moment to steady myself.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I knew this was unusual. Taxidermists were artists </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> salespeople. The appearance of the store was just important as the final product. That smell, alone, would drive away would-be buyers.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There were no signs of forced entry at the front door or anywhere else around the house. I had thought that, perhaps, the Taxidermist, himself, had an encounter similar to the one we saw in Neuchatel. A chance encounter with a temperamental Kalderari youth, a bite, and the most recent full moon had then taken him. With that thought, I ran my hand over my jacket, feeling the shortened double barrel shotgun at my side.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Revjakt was something that Elias was preparing before I left. I was just walking into the armory as he finished sawing it down and sanding down the rough edges. I figured that if anything were to happen, it would happen up close. The sawed-off shotgun was loaded with silver buckshot. And the bandolier that I wore like a belt was loaded with more of the same. If all else failed, I had even put the special rounds into the Toro revolver. I wasn’t taking any chances.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, except for the chance of doing this entirely alone.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The front door was unlocked and loosely latched, it gave way with a touch.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Is there anyone home?” I called out into the house, “I’ve been asked to check in on you.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I pulled the Revjakt and gripped it tightly in my right hand. I closed the door behind me with a click. I glanced around; a main hallway ran to the back of the house into a sitting room. In that hallway, a stairway moved up the right wall. A bannister ran along the walkways. Multiple doorways were visible from the front entrance. To the left of the front door there was a dining room and a kitchen sat off to the right.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A glance into the dining room showed that table was set, but only a single plate looked used. Fine dust covered all of the furniture and dishes. The only chair and the area around the used plate was filthy with a greasy coating. An acrid smell hung in the air, blending with the must of age.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I tried to hide from the smell using a kerchief, but the stench from the metal bin still clung to me. I began breathing through my mouth. It didn’t help as much as I’d have hoped.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The kitchen was surprisingly tidy outside of some cabinets hanging open and various cans in neat stacks. There was very little food residue remaining in cans.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was bewildered. Something didn’t add up. If my thought was that the Taxidermist had turned, nothing would be this neat and orderly. He’d be a feral creature.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes, and he’d be on top of me right now.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The thought was unsettling.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Seemingly as an answer, a floorboard shifted under weight upstairs, sending a chill up my spine. I moved slowly into the entryway and began to move up the stairs, still holding the shotgun. Pictures were hung along the stairs. They were of the Taxidermist, over the years, the most recent pictures showed him to be an older gentleman.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I am coming up. I am here to make sure you are well.” I called ahead.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I still wondered if that was a good idea. I knew that if he still maintained his humanity, I may still be able talk him down. If not, I hoped that a careful aim and two barrels of silver shot would protect me.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The acrid tang to the air became more apparent as I moved into the heat of the upstairs. I followed the banister around the corner to the room above the kitchen. The door was in shadow with sunlight brightly shining under it. I listened briefly, then tested the doorknob. It opened quietly, without much effort. Inside, the room was bright, the sun was blazing through the windows. The sunlight illuminated several haunting figures draped in white sheets, some with claws outstretched menacingly. The Taxidermist’s menagerie. I held my breath, watching dust motes lingering in the stirred air. I could hear a quiet panting in the room. I shivered, in spite of the heat, and moved back out of the room.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I took a moment to wipe the sweat from my forehead, then I spoke at the door.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I need you to come out as a person, a human. If I see you as a creature, I am armed and I will shoot.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I waited at the door for what felt like ages, listening for motion. Behind me, I heard a click from another door. I crouched in the dark hallway and quietly turned to face the noise. The door at the top of the stairs pulled open and a woman emerged from the room. She was naked, rail thin, and covered in streaks of filth. She looked down either side of the hallway, then chanced a few steps forward, moving silently with a preternatural grace. As soon as her foot touched the second stair, I called out, firm and low.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Stop.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I moved from my position with the Revjakt trained on her, making myself visible.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Nyet! Pozhaluysta!” She said, her eyes wide.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I put up a hand and shushed her. I was worried that there were others in the house. If the Taxidermist might have captured others, they might converge to overwhelm me.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I pointed at the room she’d come from and made a shooing motion into the room. She moved backwards, her wide eyes glistened, pleading. I recognized the language as Beryat, only because I recognized “Nyet” in her pleading. She moved low to the ground as she retreated, following my instructions.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">---</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The memory from less than an hour earlier faded as the hound finished her steak. My goal was to get some answers and get her to safety. The first step to that? I needed to bring her into the hotel.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We need to get you some clothes.” I said.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She tilted her head, it was a very natural reaction since I knew she didn’t understand me. When I stood, she fell in step, now closer to the heel position as we walked. I asked others on the street about a clothier and, possibly, a bookstore. A few eyes settled on the hound, some were curious; others eyed her with fear.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After receiving various instructions to both locations, I made my way down the street with the loping hound following close.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We repeated the same process for both the clothier and the bookstore; her sitting, waiting patiently outside. From the first, I emerged with a dainty, wide-necked sun dress, sky blues dotted with yellow flowers along with a pair of flat, leather-soled yellow slippers. From the second, I returned clutching a Beryat phrasebook and dictionary. I then gestured for her to follow.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We passed a few short alleyways, clearly visible to the street. I found a longer alleyway with a hard right angle that joined with another street. It still wasn’t exactly private, but obscured well enough by trash cans and large wheeled bins. In the corner, she sat and looked up at me. I unfurled the dress and pointed at her and then the dress.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“How do you say ‘I need you to look human’?” I said to myself.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I mumbled aloud as I leafed through the phrasebook. I realized how little this phrasebook was going to work for this situation.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She let out a pained whimper which brought me to look away from my book. She was instantly standing next to me, stark naked. I was startled by the suddenness of her change. And she reacted to my reaction by looking worried. She pulled back slightly, her stance hunched and protective. She shifted from foot to foot, teetering for balance in her new form. I rolled up the dress and moved slowly toward her motioning that I intended to place it over her head. She obliged, moving into it and raising her arms. I managed to get them through the slight sleeves with only a little fuss. I let the dress unfurl and it nearly touched the ground. She was a </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">very </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">slight creature. I dropped to a knee, placing the shoes in front of her. They were a little large. She put a hand on my shoulder as she shakily raised a foot and I slid the slipper into place. As I attempted to help with the next shoe, she did not move to raise her foot.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Idti, idti.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As she spoke, she made a shooing motion. Then slipped the other shoe on and pulled the back into place. I stood and gave a satisfied nod.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After she was ready, she looked up at me, almost a mirror to how the hound looked up at me moments earlier. There was a residue of blood smeared near her mouth from the steak. I pulled a kerchief from my pocket and pantomimed dabbing at my face and then moved toward her. She looked at me quizzically, dodging away at first, but then allowing me to clean off her face.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This may have been a mistake because of the oily filth that coated her from head to toe. I cleared a clean spot that made her face look unbalanced. I looked in the phrasebook for the word “bathe”.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Kupat’. Kupat’?” I said after thumbing through the phrasebook for a moment.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I looked up, I saw that she understood, but did not look amused. I shrugged, closed the phrasebook and started making my way out of the alley. Her body was hunched, unused to moving as a human. That strange grace emerged again as she maneuvered past the bins. She used her whole body as she moved, almost looking like a dancer with the assured placement of each step. She appeared to get used to moving on two feet again, but her stance remained that of a predator. Before we emerged on the street I held a hand up and faced her. I hunched briefly then pushed out my chest, straightening my back.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She mimicked. I put my hand in the small of her back, then adjusted her shoulders. She held it, looking very uncomfortable.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We’ll work on it.” I said to myself.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her brows were furrowed. She seemed determined. The graceful gait was lost as she tried to maintain this overly rigid posture. We got back to the hotel and unhurriedly moved through the lobby without acknowledging the man at the front desk.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I opened the door to the hotel room and motioned her in. She moved slowly, I could see her nostrils flare as she looked around. She dropped into her feral grace again, moving through each room, inspecting every corner of the room. I moved past her, letting her investigate. I removed my tan leather riding jacket and the various weapons I’d taken with me. When she returned after her review of the hotel room, she squinted up at me, her head tilted, and her nostrils flared toward me again while standing very close.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“V odinochestve?” She said.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I shrugged then picked up the phrasebook and showed it to her. I opened it up and traced my fingers along the lines of words. She looked at me and shook her head.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You don’t read?” I said.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I fumbled through the dictionary portion of the phrase book. This was going to be much more difficult than I expected.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Vy mozhete chitat'?” I said, cobbling the words together from the phrasebook.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She shook her head again, but then she </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">also </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">corrected my pronunciation. I looked at her with a grimace. She returned the expression for a second then gave an unpracticed shrug.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">did </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">catch on quickly.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As she stood close to me, I was starting to catch that acrid odor from the house. It reminded me that I wanted a shower, but she needed a bath first. I motioned to her and beckoned her to the bathroom. When I stepped in, I stared at the toilet and a worrisome realization hit me.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh my god. Is she housebroken?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I shook my head at the thought, then pushed it out of my mind. There was nothing I could do about that. I wasn’t even going to attempt it.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I turned on the faucet and began to fill the tub. I put a small amount of bath soap in, letting the bubbles rise with the water. She looked on in fascination. I took a bar of soap and got it wet in the sink. I took her hand, and lifted her arm, spreading soap on her skin, then rinsing it off, showing a patch of grim-free pale, pink skin. I pantomimed using the bar all over me, then motioned to her. I pulled up a small bottle of the complimentary shampoo and demonstrated it for her hair.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“And don’t get soap in your eyes.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I acted it out and made a pained noise. During this gesticulating and pantomime, she stopped paying attention to what I was trying to convey and humor crept into her eyes.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I shook my head and waved dismissively.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I reached down and shut off the water. I motioned toward the bath and turned out the door. I heard her clothes hit the floor almost immediately and there was a slosh of bathwater. I closed the door behind me and moved back into the room.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had a moment to pause and reflect while she took a bath. I settled into the lounge chair close to the window and leafed through the phrasebook; gathering simple words and phrases as best I could. My mind drifted back to the Taxidermist’s house.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">---</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It wasn’t just her at the house. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was a rumble of an engine and a squeak of a parking brake. Someone had pulled up to the front just as she was retreating into the guest room. I continued to motion for her to move back, now a little more forcefully. I followed her into the guest room and closed the door to just a crack. I saw a large standing armoire in the room. I moved over to it and opened the door and beckoned for her to get inside. The fear in her eyes changed to uncertainty. I moved back to the door, averting my attention from her. In a way, making her aware that I wasn’t the one to be worried about. I clicked the hallway door shut just as I heard someone noisily kick through the front door. There was shouting into the house. I looked back to her and saw her move into the armoire, tugging at the edge until it was shut.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I took a deep breath and held the Revjakt at the ready.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I unlatched the door quietly and moved out quickly. Two men dressed in Kalderari colors were moving into the main entry.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Get out.” I shouted down at them, “You’re on private property.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What are you doing here?” One of the men said, clearly flustered.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No. What are </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">you</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> doing here?” </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was a growl of aggravation and they rushed to the foot of the stairs, brandishing revolvers with untrained hands. I moved down the stairs, keeping them from advancing.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“This is our business. We need to kill the stray. Get out of our way.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No.” I said, doing my best to be imposing from the superior position. I pulled out my badge and thrust it at them, I was using it as more of a prop than something they’d recognize.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’m here on official business and you are trespassing.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While they barely glanced at the Nachrichter badge, the effect was apparent. There was hesitation. They spoke to each other in low whispers, words I didn’t understand. I pulled back my riding jacket, exposing the belt full of buckshot.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“If there’s any question, keep in mind that this is </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">all</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> silver. Do you want to take a chance?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">More fervent whispers erupted between the two. It was clear that they were young, maybe in their early twenties. Frothing and excited to spill blood.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You have until sundown to get rid of the problem. If you don’t, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">we </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">will.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was the older of the two said, posturing for the younger, showing off his bravado. In response, I levelled the shotgun at him and nodded toward the door.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Leave.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They backed out of the house slowly keeping weapons in hand and then moving quickly to the car once they exited.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Well, shit.” I said aloud, putting the sawed off shotgun back in its sling.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I looked back at the door that was still open. There was a slight yelp and a dark, long-haired hound looked deliberately around the corner at me. I put my hand over my face in exasperation, as several realizations hit me at once.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The hound approached, hesitating at the top of the stairs, watching me. I turned and made my way down to the bottom of the stairs. The dog walked up beside me, staring at the front door, then turned to look at me with a questioning look.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I shook my head and pushed the now broken door open. The hound moved through pushing past the screen door. I watched as it moved down the steps, turned toward me, and sat on the long grass. It’s eyes were on me; watching, waiting.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh. You’re waiting for me?” I said, putting my hand to my chest.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I let the exasperation subside with a few deep breaths. I put a finger up, indicating that I’d be back, then turned and walked into the house. As I moved in, I pulled the Revjakt again. I needed to make sure there were no others. I did a quick sweep of the main floor and out into the garage. Unfinished projects were rotting away in the heat. The front room had been untouched for some time, now.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I moved up the stairs, I looked again at the pictures. The man, over the years, had this loyal hound by his side. I watched the age progression and the hound, this woman, had remained the same over the many years. I pulled the three photos down, removed them from the frames, and slid them into my sling pouch. I was suddenly aware of the acrid smell again. I moved into the room with the sheets covering various trophy kills. A door at the rear of the room was open, leading into the room where the woman had emerged.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Inspecting the remaining rooms, it appeared she was alone here, after all. I moved to the final room, more realizations came as the overall situation dawned on me. I knew exactly what I would find. I cracked open the door and the smell of rot spilled out. Heat rolled in from an open window on the opposite wall.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was likely that the Taxidermist had died in his sleep. Putrefaction had stained the sheets along with the bile from the oozing body. He’d likely been dead for weeks. I looked around the room briefly, but left without disturbing the area, shutting the door behind me.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I would have to reach out to the authorities and see that this was called in. I holstered the weapon again and made my way out the front door.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You’ve been through a lot.” I said to the dog.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I knelt down near the hound. She laid down putting her head between her paws, still facing toward the house. It felt odd. Knowing that there was a person in there. I laid my hand on her back. Her dark tousled hair was greasy and unkempt. I scratched along her back, neck, and behind the ears. She didn’t move. During that moment, I swear I saw a tear drop from her eyes.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After a moment of silence, I stood.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We have until sundown to figure out what to do next.” I said aloud, but mainly to myself.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A moment passed as I got my bearings by looking at the cemetery. The hound stood facing the house, then turned toward me and waited, glancing up at me. I nodded to her and we began the walk back to the hotel.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">---</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her bath took an extraordinarily long time. I was watching the sun make its way closer to the horizon, feeling more and more anxious with each passing moment.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I knocked at the door and heard a slosh of water and a splash on the tile floors. I could see water peek from under the door. The sound of thrashing led me to open the door, water sprayed everywhere as the hound shook herself dry.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Dammit.” I grabbed the spare towels and tossed them to the floor to soak up the pooling water.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The hound looked at me and woofed.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What?” I gestured, bringing my hands up with the word.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She woofed a little louder motioning toward the door.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Shh… What’s wrong?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She leaned into me pushing me out the door.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh. I see.” I said, then stood, walked out, and shut the door.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She emerged some moments later in human form, dewy and wearing the sun dress. Her dark hair hung around her shoulders, reminiscent of the hound’s tousled black hair.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I patted on the bed. She bounded up and sat cross legged. I went across the room and sat facing her while she dabbed at her hair with the last of the towels. I knew I wasn’t going to be getting a shower tonight.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Time for some answers,” I said.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I pulled out the phrasebook and started with simple questions. This was going to be especially challenging since she couldn’t read.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After nearly two hours of awkward charades and fishing for words and phrases, I was able to determine that her name was Oksana. She was from Keurg, deep in the woods, but likely not able to point it out on a map. Her parents were werewolves, forced to change by the moon. She, however, was able to control her gift when she grew into it. She wasn’t sure when things changed, but it was early, maybe at nine or ten years old.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One year, both of her parents were killed by local superstitious townspeople. To avoid the same fate, Oksana discovered that she could take the shape of the hound. This was a deep transition that reduced her own capacity to reason. She lived that way for so long that she’d lost herself, living like an animal. The Taxidermist was hunting. He saw her and fed her scraps. She stayed close while he camped and prepared his kill. He recognized that she was extremely intelligent with a mild disposition. He brought her home and named her Amelie.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He did not know of her nature until they visited the Kalderari camp over a decade later. She smelled the others and they were familiar. It helped her remember that there was more to her. She had to relearn how to move between forms. Oksana revealed herself to her master and he grew very agitated. He banished her. During that time, she had to fend for herself. She hunted in the true werewolf form, where she was faster, and it felt natural to her, but that was when she was first discovered.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This was when the journalists, hunters, and police came from all over to see, catch, or kill the creature. This lined up with Angelica’s account of noteworthy news in the area.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Taxidermist came to terms with his own issues and called her back in. She remained his hound, not daring to change back to her human form. Then, one day, he didn’t wake. She had to shift her form in order to get around the house, but as food became scarce, she was forced to hunt again. This was when the soldier discovered her and tracked her to the Taxidermist’s house.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Using the phrasebook, I explained that the soldier told us about her.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The word “us” made her react. Oksana trembled, her eyes glistened. It took me a few minutes with her gesticulating and spouting words to find something.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The word she fell silent on was </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">family</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I leaned forward, putting my face into my hand with the realization. Everyone she’d considered family had been taken from her, and there had been three people in the world that held that role. I felt myself tear up with the revelation.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’m Bani. I will keep you safe, Oksana. I will help you find a family.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The rough translation was understood. She wiped at her face, tears were flowing, but she did not actually cry.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I looked out the window.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“In order to do that, we’re going to need to leave now.” I said, looking at the sun that was almost an hour from setting.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I packed, my bags quickly; holstering the pistol, slinging the shotgun, and putting the bandolier back around my waist. If there was going to be a fight, I was going to be prepared. I moved out to the motorcycle and started strapping my gear into place.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I looked around, seeing if anyone else was watching. We were between a series of cars. I struggled briefly with the word for dog. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Sobaka.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oksana nodded. She looked around, too, then crouched. This is the first time I was able to experience the process up close and undistracted. It was momentary, a blur of fur and contortion. It was clear that the process was painful. A rapid, shifting and realignment of flesh and bone that emitted the sound of tearing and cracking as it happened. It was over just as quickly as it began and she seemed to shake it off without issue. Still, it made me cringe just recognizing the process.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She wriggled backwards out of the sundress and the fluffy hound looked up at me. I patted inside the seat of the sidecar. She climbed in and settled in the footwell. I picked up her shoes and sundress and placed them in my duffel then put the duffel into the seat. I snapped the cover over the sidecar’s cockpit, leaving enough of the snaps open to allow for air to pass easily in.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I heard the familiar squeak of a brake and saw the Kalderari youths pull up in a lane adjacent to the hotel.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Leaving town?” The older one taunted.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I saw the younger one scenting the air, he looked at me first, his nostrils flaring, then squinted at my motorcycle. He tapped the older one on the shoulder and nodded.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“This isn’t your concern. I </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">am</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> taking care of it.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh, that’s not how this works, outsider. The </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">unbonded</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of our kind are predators. They put our way of life, our family, at risk. They need to be dealt with.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I moved close, unbuttoning my jacket to show iron.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s under control, and if you can’t accept it, then,” I paused and scrutinized them, “Wait. Why am I even talking to you? Tell Babik that I want an audience at your camp in an hour. After that, if you want a fight, I’ll give you a fight.”</span></p></span>Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435808207395330499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526285455094698909.post-78823212241802159612020-06-15T16:03:00.008-07:002020-06-15T20:22:36.281-07:00Journal - Tryst<span id="docs-internal-guid-74f4ad0f-7fff-c69c-274e-dda1cf07b47e"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We were in no condition for the front entry of the hotel. Bjorn had picked up his shield maiden, Blanka, and carried her to the elevator near the back entrance through the restaurant. I was covered with bloodstains and now completely unable to clench my left fist without nearly passing out. The gift of adrenaline had departed and all that was left was pain.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn’s trench coat had bullet holes, but he seemed no worse than before. It was likely the bullets had reflected off of the personal armory his coat concealed.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As we moved through, a man spied us. I made eye contact with him and raised a finger to my lips. He nodded quietly in response. His hands were graced with rings, making it plain that he was a well-moneyed man. The elevator opened immediately and we began the ascent to the top floor.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was Blanka’s idea to take </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">all </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">of the suites on the top floor. I didn’t let the expense roll entirely to Nachtrichter’s budget, either. A little allowance like this kept the peace, even if it had annoyed Elsbeth. There are battles and there are wars. I was choosing carefully which to win and which to lose. Eventually, I hoped to be the victor and the war would be mine.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Or I’d be dead. Either way, there wasn’t much point to putting my foot down at something so relatively minor.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not like it didn’t benefit me. I had a room overlooking the river, watching lighted boats move over the dark waters. I had taken a chance that, so far, I hadn’t regretted. Elsbeth paired with Maurik. She was clearly upset, but it was better than the alternative: Blanka. Plus, Maurik would protect her until his dying breath. Bjorn and Blanka were a pair. It was unfair to Bjorn, really. I did worry that the playfulness would get the better of his restraint, but I continued to hope that his honor would prevail.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That left me alone with my thoughts--and a bundle of bandages. I moved into the bathroom, looking in the mirror. I had doffed my shirt in order to inspect the damage.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was a knock at my door.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Come in.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elsbeth stepped in, leaving the door open, then immediately turned to give me privacy.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Excuse me,” She said quickly.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You nearly ripped my shirt off about a week ago,” I said with a chuckle, “I think it’s more than appropriate that I’ve already taken it off this time.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She turned back and looked toward me. Her cheeks were visibly rosey defying her dark complexion.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I spoke to break the silence.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’m going to need some help here. I’m not great with bandages. I could use your expertise.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She approached and began unfurling bandages and measuring out lengths. She unslung a satchel with a faded red cross on it that looked like it had some age to it. It folded open with pockets and straps containing everything she needed for field work.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Surprisingly the spot that ached the most was my jaw. A bruise was starting to form and I was beginning to color like an overripe peach.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You should get some ice on that, it’ll reduce the swelling. Do you need me to get ice?” She said as she pulled out a rubberized ice pack.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No, they refill an ice chest under the liquor cabinet. That’s my next stop anyway.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She smiled at my attempt at humor.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I gingerly put my shirt back on, giving a generous allowance around the bandages so as to not disturb them.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Do you need anything to sleep?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No. I’m plenty exhausted. It won’t be a problem. Thank you, Elsbeth.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I hesitated a moment, then continued.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I know I’ve challenged you on this mission. I’ve put you in uncomfortable situations. I recognize it. But I have also seen your strength. Thank you for setting aside any grievances to help Blanka. It shows a lot of character; a lot of resolve.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She took a deep breath and let it out.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I did it for you, Bani. Not for Blanka. For you.” Her eyes were stern.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I nodded, acknowledging her feelings on the matter. It was not exactly what I expected from her, but it would have to be a start.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Good night, Bani.” She said, putting a hand out for a handshake.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I moved past it and embraced her briefly. When I pulled back, I saw her cheeks turn rosey again. I immediately wondered if I’d entirely overstepped my position.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Good night, Elsbeth. Again, thank you.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I saw Maurik standing in the far room.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You’ve got first and second watch, right Maurik?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes boss.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Elsbeth, can you take the last watch?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She nodded in response. She moved to the open door, locked it, and moved to close it quietly behind her.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Sleep well.” She whispered almost inaudibly as the door latched in place.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I moved to the liquor cabinet and filled the ice bag from the icebox below. I tossed another set of cubes in one of the glasses and poured a generous amount of gin.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I pressed the bag of ice to my jaw, working it slightly. That woman had packed a punch. I immediately had a visual of her head rolling between my feet in the car by way of Bjorn. I winced at the memory.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We all get ours. Don’t we.” I mused aloud.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I raised my glass, a toast to the thought, and took a long draw from the glass.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I moved back over to the door and unlocked it. If there was an emergency, I’d rather have my team be able to open the door immediately.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I turned back into the room taking another sip and then froze.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A woman with brilliant white-gold hair sat on the couch. She was dressed in a simple flowing black dress that hugged her form, leaving little to the imagination. Her eyes were piercing, studying me.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It took a moment for me to melt from my shock in order to move again.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Ms. Davor?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She didn’t nod, but her head inclined in response.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Would you like a drink?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She held up two fingers.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I moved to the liquor cabinet. Placing the bag of ice off to the side. And tossed two cubes of ice in and splashed some gin into the glass. My heart was in my throat. A million thoughts raced through my head, but the prevailing thought was to simply stay calm.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She took the glass I offered and drew from it. Taking half of the contents of the liquid. A myth was quickly dispelled as she swallowed.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You have done me a favor tonight.” She said simply.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had settled on the bed, sitting across from the couch she graced. I sipped again at the gin giving her my undivided attention. Anything less could end very poorly for me.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“How so?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You have exposed these people. This organization. And you dealt with them soundly. Though it was foolish of you to fall into their trap.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“A lesson learned,” I said with a sigh, “But we made them pay in kind.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes. You did.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her eyes smoldered.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Their blood does not atone for what they have done to me. They have </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">taken</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> things from me. Precious things. And they will pay dearly.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Anger flashed in her eyes. They were the eyes of a predator, hunting by moonlight. She finished the glass and placed it on the cloth covered table next to the couch.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“This wouldn’t be the other...”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I paused, considering the word </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">vampire</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> was used by the Echelon agent. They were not Bella’s true words.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The other of </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">your kind</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> that they imprisoned?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her eyes narrowed as I tread into dangerous territory.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No. I killed him. He won’t be giving up any more of his secrets.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her disgust was palpable.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It was a concern.” I paused to sip my drink then continued, “It was one of the reasons we accepted the meeting. The woman pretending to be you alluded to experiments. That stands against our charter.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Your charter. Upholding the Legerdemain Accords.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I gave her a sidelong look.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“When you appeared, I did some research of my own.” She raised an elegant eyebrow, “There, of course, were things I already knew. Tonight I was able to connect them together.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We could help each other.” I offered.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She raised her hand as a clear rejection. I didn’t press.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You know more than I expected. You can handle yourself. But we’re not </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">friends</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She stood and slowly strode forward. She reached to her left shoulder and pushed the strap off so that it dangled loosely. I stood from the foot of the bed, fear and allure competing for space in my mind.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She moved in close and put her hand to my chest. Her touch was warm. I placed my hand over hers and felt two heartbeats quickening together. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The scent of perfume and sweat lingered together with her hot breath. I trembled involuntarily.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her eyes opened, her gaze softening as she looked up at me.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You did me a favor,” she whispered, “and I intend to repay it.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She slipped through the other strap. Shrugging out of her dress, letting it crumple to the floor. She leaned into me with a kiss as her hands pressed me backwards to the bed.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435808207395330499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526285455094698909.post-44939324693758505572020-06-15T15:40:00.002-07:002020-06-15T18:49:04.711-07:00Report - Fangs Over Cardington<span id="docs-internal-guid-9b219fc5-7fff-6b0e-6dc2-452cb1372e8e"><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 20pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 20pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mission Debrief</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lead Operative: Bani Elkind</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Operative(s): Bjorn Oleander, Blanka Bess, Elsbeth Duhrer, Maurik Leodgar</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Person(s) of Interest: Bella Davor</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Expenses: 320 Lyra (Receipts included, augmented with my own funds.)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Outcome: Success*</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Summary:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Conclusion appended to the end of report.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This was a voluntary assignment. Bella Davor announced herself to our organization. She is under duress, looking for a way out of her current situation by allying herself with Nachtrichter.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Detail:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I dabbed away at the beaded sweat on my forehead. Of all the things to forget, the white rose tied with a silk ribbon. It was a small thing, but key to letting our contact know who we were. I waited at the stall watching a disgruntled Blanka, she was looking at me from a stranger’s eyes. She was ‘Olivia’ now. Dark silk gloves pulled up to just above her elbows covering her alabaster white skin. She was drumming her fingers on a small clutch as she watched, I had to remind myself she was underneath that illusion or the smoldering glare would have me sweating even more.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn was hulking next to her. He didn’t seem to be in a hurry, but he regularly checked his blind spots. Elsbeth lingered close, but was taking in the sights around her so she didn’t end up staring.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I thanked the woman at the stall as she tied the black silk ribbon high on the neck of the stem. I was careful to avoid the thorns as I twirled it in my fingers and tucked it into the pocket of my suit jacket. The woman was annoyed that I took something this lovely and pocketed it, but the generous tip brought a small smile back to her lips.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The theater at Gempf was set apart from all other buildings on its own city block. Automobiles lined the streets as drivers dropped off the guests. The stone stairs supported the flow of theater goers while statues looked on. I looped my arm through Olivia’s and we ascended into the theater.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I swore I could hear Bjorn clinking gently as he moved. He wore a near floor-length trench coat he’d garnered from the armory and I was sure Isaac had a hand in his selection. I was absolutely sure we could be in violation of several laws with what he was likely carrying. I was armed as well, my Toro on my hip and a coiled whip because of how easy it was to conceal. Elsbeth moved into the lobby and found a place to wait, reviewing the play bill intently, but glancing around occasionally. We turned right, finding where the velvet ropes protected the entry to the box seats.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The usher offered a white gloved hand, his uniform was a steely gray and looked far from comfortable. The heat from the churn of people was building and it seemed to be getting to him. I offered the tickets. He looked at Olivia and I, his expression not changing. Until he laid eyes on Bjorn when he had to tip his head slightly back to take him in.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I followed his gaze and spoke.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“He’s with me. He’ll be waiting outside our box.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The usher thought about saying something. It was likely not usual, but he thought better of it. He tilted forward at the waist and pulled the velvet rope free and let us through. We moved up the overstuffed steps to our box. It was the very last seating area, which meant you were close enough to see the players sweating through their stage makeup.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It has been a while since I’ve been at the theater. It brought back a torrent of memories, but, this time, I let them linger. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed them. I turned toward Blanka’s persona and gave her a grin. She returned the smile, but cocked her head with an unasked question.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn put his back to the pillar between boxes emitted more of a clank as he settled in.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“If ya need me, I’ll be here. Don’t hesitate.” He spoke low as he crossed his arms in front of him.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes. We’re the bacon and that’s the frying pan. I remember.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Don’t get burned, ya?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I nodded in response then pushed through the curtains into the box. I felt a moment of vertigo as I looked down on the seething audience below me. I immediately felt underdressed. We took the seats closest to the stage. I had looked at the playbill and was a little underwhelmed: </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Children's Hour</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Bjorn hadn’t been all that enthusiastic about the play, himself.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was a chime signalling that the play would start in five minutes.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The rose.” I reminded myself aloud and snaked it from my suit coat and placed it across my left knee in clear view. Only the two of us were in the booth at the moment. Another couple came in and sat behind us, but Bella didn’t seem to be present.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I leaned close to Olivia, “I don’t think this is going to happen. She may have been expecting your mother.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka grimaced at the reference to her mother. She slumped a little and looked off to the side. This </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">very</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Blanka reaction played out on her Olivia persona. She looked like a stricken debutante. I barely held back a smile.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of the ushers approached and handed me a note. It was written in the same hand as the letter.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Friends, I’m afraid that our rendezvous has been compromised. I am waiting out front in a dark blue Wayfarer Pegasus. Look for me there.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was signed with a graceful ‘B. Davor’ at the bottom.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“This isn’t good.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I handed the letter to Olivia to review.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We move when the lights go down.” I let out a sigh in mock defeat, “And, here, I was looking forward to getting a little culture.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The one-minute chime came and went and the orchestra started to swell. I nodded to Olivia and we stood and slipped out of the box, through the curtain.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I spotted Bjorn.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Change of plans. She was followed. We’re meeting her out in her car.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I saw his jaw ripple and he followed silently. He jangled slightly as he moved ahead.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We approached the lobby and I made eye contact with Elsbeth. I let Olivia and Bjorn take the lead while I moved toward Elsbeth.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“She’s being followed. We’re going to her car. Meet up with Maurik as quickly as possible and be ready to follow us as soon as we’re on the move.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She looked concerned. Elsbeth’s eyes weren’t the sort for concealing what she felt, but she didn’t say a word and moved resolutely out the doors toward Maurik. Even with the change in plans, I didn’t feel exposed. I was glad Bjorn suggested he bring his cab for the mission.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I moved down the stone steps of the theater and saw Bjorn and Blanka. In the moments between, Blanka had returned to herself, shedding her ‘Olivia’ persona. The evening dress, while more slight, was still stunning over her form. She beckoned me toward them.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn moved toward a dark limousine. It took up a large portion of the parking area. The engine compartment, alone, was nearly a third of its length. Bjorn moved close and knocked on the window. There was a brief exchange and the driver came around to open the door, Bjorn waved him off and took the door himself.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Elsbeth climb into the cab and Maurik’s hands were on the wheel. I was extremely proud of the team dropping into the right places as the situation unfolded.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Get in,” Bjorn said gruffly to me.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I moved in first, with Blanka close behind. A woman sat opposite of us. I assumed it was Bella. She fit the descriptions that Elsbeth and I had found of the woman in our earlier research. She had a certain majesty to her that drew your eye. Stateful and nearly glowing with confidence as we tried to organize ourselves. As Blanka sat next to me, I felt her shift into a different mode of operation as she settled into her seat and was eye to eye with the considerably older woman.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“One moment Ms. Davor. We should hold introductions until we’re reasonably safe. I take it your driver is capable?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She nodded and pressed a button that emitted a faint crackling sound. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Please put some distance between our pursuers.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The driver nodded in acknowledgement. He sat behind a thick window just over her shoulder and kept his eyes forward. Bulletproofed from the inside? I didn’t want to know why.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The throaty report of the vehicle roared to life as the driver readied to depart. Bjorn’s hefty frame dropped into the seat of the Wayfarer Pegasus and shut the door behind him. I was used to Bjorn rocking whatever car he sat in, but this beast hardly moved. We were sitting on what seemed like an incredibly plush velvet couch. There were small cabinets that dotted the compartment which, I was sure, contained various liquors and glasses. Curtained windows lined the passenger area, which was fitting for the occupant. This was designed as a home away from home.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The car rumbled as it negotiated its way onto the street, then purred with acceleration as we took flight on the straightaway. The beast moved ponderously as it shifted on its leaf springs during turns, but it easily outpaced any vehicle I’d ever been in.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Dere dey are. Recognize him?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As we moved, two men emerged from the theater and rushed down the steps. He saw our vehicle pull away and he altered his course to a series of vehicles parked closeby.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes. Yes, I do.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The man in the lead was ‘The Hammer’, we’d encountered him when snatching Monica Granger from a near certain doom. I couldn’t see Maurik from the curtained rear window, but I was sure he was in pursuit.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The driver moved through the city streets aggressively, ending up on the highway and then he set the motor to singing. The whole rear compartment trembled with the effort, but the ride remained smooth. I marveled at the engineering as I watched the headlights fade into the distance behind us. The driver turned off his lights then maneuvered back into the city, using the streetlights to navigate.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“With that business behind us,” Bella looked to each of us, “I assume none of you are the leader of your organization? Angelica Bess?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Unfortunately, she was previously engaged. We’ve come in her stead,” I stated plainly.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I introduced myself by name and pointed to Bjorn who simply said, “Bjorn,” then went quiet, looking menacing. Bella’s disappointment was obscured by pleasantries, but still visible.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I am Blanka Bess. I will act for Angelica Bess in these negotiations.” Blanka postured, she was fully invested in the part: Straight backed, calm expression, scrutinizing Bella for weaknesses.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bella’s eyes glittered briefly, her disappointment had faded somewhat with Blanka’s introduction. Her interest was concerning.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I would like to know how you know about us?” I asked her.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I have my own means. Wealth and status affords me many connections, as you can imagine.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Sure.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I nodded at the non-answer. This was going to be more difficult than I thought.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The conversation revolved on how much she could help us if we could fulfill her requests. I was becoming used to using Bjorn as my barometer of how effective I was navigating the conversation. Each time I revealed too much information Bjorn would grunt or, in one case, outright interrupt.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“My friend Bani here might be a little too free with de details.” Bjorn leaned in, “What is it you want, exactly?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“For one, Citizenship in Burgundia.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You can apply for dat. It’s not really our place.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Also, protection provided by your organization.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn shook his head.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“He’s right. That’s not really our place.” I shrugged as I acknowledged Bjorn’s point.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“With an alliance in place, I have centuries of knowledge I can share. I have researched my own condition and can offer insights. The origins of my </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">condition</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> are likely from a rogue use of wild magicks. I could share all of this with you if you just afford me this place of safety.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She looked to everyone, and locked into Blanka who seemed to be most receptive.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You understand this,” she glanced at her hair, “You know this better than these two.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka remained silent, stolid even. Bella sighed and settled back into her seat.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We are going to Cardington Airfield. We’re here earlier than my scheduled flight, this will give us some time to talk through details.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nothing felt right, her words weren’t lining up and the shimmering sheen and polished presence was breaking down with the questions. She’d been talking in circles.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn pulled back the curtains and was looking across the darkened airfield. Large hangars loomed against the night sky, but the moon shone on two vehicles a short distance away. Two men wearing Clovian three-quarters plate armor were standing near the larger vehicle with the silhouette of a lorry.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You have a lot of Clovian bodyguards.” I said matter of factly, then added, “It’s best if we stop the car here to have that conversation. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Fine.” Bella said shortly.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She pressed the button twice and the driver responded immediately. He turned off the car and the lights clicked off. Then briefly on and off again.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“There. We can talk now.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn gave a dissatisfied grunt and pressed out the door. He rattled under the trench coat and pulled out a Tomahawk. He rammed a large drum into the magazine slot and pulled back the charging handle and let it slide forward. I saw the lights come on from the other vehicles and they started to approach.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Tell your men to stand down.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“This is an overreaction, they’re just here to take me to my ship,” she rolled her eyes impatiently, “I can see you are nervous. Here’s my card. You can contact me later to work out the details.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I glanced at Blanka, then back to Bella.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bella snapped open her clutch and quickly pressed a small mask that fit over her nose and mouth. I was confused until she opened a small vial that filled the passenger cabin with a noxious cloud. I caught my breath as it touched the back of my throat. I kept myself from coughing pressing back against the need to breathe.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka immediately began coughing, color draining from her face. I heard Bjorn respond similarly. Her rush to put on the mask that was protecting her from the cloud had dislodged the cornsilk blonde wig she was wearing. I gave her a withering look and she seemed startled that I didn’t react like the others. I grabbed at the passenger door handle and it popped open with ease. I moved out into the night air and let out my breath then drew a lungful of clean air in. A passenger car with two men sped past and screeched to a halt about fifteen meters away.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I grabbed the driver’s door handle and swung his door open wide. He looked startled. His gun was holstered in the door, well away from him. I moved forward to block him from it. Instead of reaching for it, though, he used his leverage from the lap belt against me and shoved me away. It put me off balance and I reeled back a few steps. His eyes were frantic as he slammed the door and slapped the lock. I reached back to draw my pistol. He braced for impact.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Don’t do it!” the woman shouted, “You are completely surrounded. Surrender and we’ll let you live.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I turned slowly and faced the imposter Bella. She had emerged from the same door I came from with a Faust pistol in her hand. She’d pulled the wig from her head and dropped it to the ground. The two men were still exiting the car, grabbing their Spitzer submachine guns from the back. Her gun was trained on me and she was ready to fire.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Surrender now to die somewhere in </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">god forsaken Clovia</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Not a chance.” I growled at her.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I reached for the whip and uncoiled it rapidly, sending a stinging snap at her hand. This sent the pistol to the ground. I rushed toward her. She balked for a moment, appearing to surrender. I intended to take her as a hostage, but as I looked toward the men raising their guns she brought a left hook to bear; her small, dense fist crashing into my jaw. I saw stars and stumbled briefly.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I used the door to stabilize myself and tried to collect my thoughts. The fake Bella had stepped back from me leaving her gun behind. She had an infuriating self-satisfied smirk. I could hear retching from the cab. I hoped the poisonous cloud had dispersed, at least. At a short distance, two men were now yelling at me with submachine guns at the ready, fingers on the trigger.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was a strange moment, I felt a rush of energy fill my body. I looked for the source of it and caught Blanka’s eyes in the cab looking in my direction, her pupils dilated as she focused in my direction. Whatever she did, time seemed to slow as I took in the scene.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As the two men were focused on me, I saw the woman turn her attention momentarily. Bjorn charged at her with a massive battle axe from behind the car. I saw her double over with a flash of the double half-moon blade.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Where was he keeping that god-damned battle axe?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Using Bjorn as a distraction, I raised my hands as if to surrender, then dove into the car and slammed the door behind me slapping the lock plunger down. I was able to move with lightning speed.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unfortunately, the back windows were </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">not</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> bulletproof. A sputtering report from one of the Spitzers and bullets came crashing through the window, thudding into my left forearm and shoulder. I pulled my arm close to me attempting to keep the bleeding at bay. My head was still swimming from the earlier blow. This didn’t look good. Hope was slowly slipping away.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The smell of bile became more obvious. While the poison had subsided, Blanka had been dutifully painting the interior with the contents of her stomach. One of the plate armored guards was sitting in the car, his hands on his knees.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What’s he doing here?” </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I thought it might help Bjorn.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His eyes rolled to me uncomfortably, but he seemed to be unable to move otherwise.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shouts from outside to surrender erupted again. I could see the woman now standing behind the two men with submachine guns. She looked pained and considerably more pale. Whatever Bjorn had done had left her dress in tatters.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We hadn’t made them angry enough to simply pull the trigger until we stopped moving. We had to be able to use that to our advantage, but I couldn’t see how.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t have any more tricks. We surrender or they fill the cab with bullets and pull out the wounded. We have to break line of sight to make anything happen.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka’s eyes widened with a thought. She put her hands above her hand then turned them toward each other. Her pantomime meant she still could make us all disappear. This realization sent goosebumps over my arms. We had a few more tricks to spare after all.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes. Wait for my signal,” I whispered.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I raised my hands echoing her response, dropping my whip in the process. She moved over the top of the unmoving soldier and I did the same. Making eye contact briefly as I moved past him. I yelled out the window. We moved toward the side of the car where a single soldier was engaged with Bjorn.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Bjorn, stand down. We need to surrender.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He quit attacking, but then appeared overcome with whatever poison she used in the cabin and began to retch. Gouts of vomit splattered on the ground and all over the soldier’s shoes. The soldier stepped back in horror. Even with the mess, the soldier kept his gun trained on Bjorn, but stayed his trigger finger.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was able to properly take in the airfield. We were out in the open. There was no place to make a stand. The lorry that was driven by the two armored soldiers was a mere ten meters away, unoccupied. If we could make it to the vehicle, we might be able to get away.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Something caught my eye high above us. We were at Cardington Airfield. Cardington tower was the mooring point for both commercial and private airships. I could see a form standing on the highest platform of the mooring tower appearing and disappearing with the slow strobing of the red docking lights. Her arms were stained darkly. I realized it was the blossom of wild hair that reflected the red light against the dark skies that had initially caught my eye. I could see the glint of a rifle barrel at her feet, but it didn’t look right. The rifle itself was tipped on its side. She had taken out their overwatch. I let out a quick exhale with the realization.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bella Davor, I presume?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The form didn’t move, though. She watched and waited. We had to solve the immediate problem ourselves.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I refocused on the problems at hand. Bjorn was hunched over, wiping away the remains of what he’d let loose. Blanka looked like she was barely holding her composure, fighting back the sickness, but she was ready with hands raised. I glanced across the car, my arms also raised, and saw all of them with guns leveled and ready to fire. This was the last gimmick we could pull before they lost their patience and simply cut us down in a hail of bullets.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Now!” I whispered fervently.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka brought her hands together in a light clap.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For us, nothing changed. It wasn’t immediately obvious if it had worked, but their subsequent reactions made it clear. I flagged toward the lorry as our egress, Blanka’s head bobbed in response but Bjorn was preoccupied. Submachine gun fire erupted, firing blindly from all sides. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Bjorn had avoided the worst of it, he immediately swelled into his clothes, filling out the immense bulk of the trenchcoat. Large claws protruded from his sleeves and his maw gaped in a roar. Immediately, blood was gushing from the soldier he was facing. The sight of an invisible assailant must have been horrifying for the observers. Bjorn had knocked him prone and proceeded to ravage him.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The woman leveled her pistol in my direction, she clearly had a bead on me even when we’d disappeared. She squeezed off a shot and grazed me, but still drew blood. I dropped behind the wheel well cursing.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am going to tear her apart.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A spray of bullets came from the passenger compartment. The soldier Blanka had somehow controlled apparently still had his weapon. He sprayed in her direction and I heard bullets hit flesh.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was immediately heartsick. Chasing anger with adrenaline, I yanked my Toro revolver clear and leaned into the passenger compartment, shooting at the soldier. I saw a bullet hit, but I couldn’t do much more from my cover.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was now clear that we were visible. Blanka couldn’t maintain the illusion, but she was nowhere to be seen. I saw a blood trail dashing toward the lorry. Thankfully, she’d gotten to cover. I couldn’t bear thinking of her getting hurt.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Too late for that.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was hit with a blast of exhaust as the car rumbled to life. The choking plume of smoke surrounded me and the vehicle pulled away. I was immediately exposed. The two plainclothes operatives took two hard angles on me, moving into place quickly, pinning me down with submachine guns. There was a smug smile on the woman’s face as she moved forward with her gun held level. I dropped my Toro revolver and kicked it away, furious. I raised my hands.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was a grinding sound. The lorry was in motion. I turned to watch it lumber forward and plow into one of the plainclothes operatives. He bounced off of the bumper with a thud and rolled away from the wheels. I felt the churn of wind as the lorry narrowly avoided me.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I saw the grab bars on the back of the lorry, and without a second thought, I reached out and closed my hand around it. The lorry dragged me for a moment before I could get a knee on the bumper to pull myself up. The other plainclothes operator let the bullets fly, spraying the pavement and landing a few pinging shots on the lorry itself.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The woman followed me with her eyes, a scowl slowly consuming her face as she watched me slip away. She aimed her pocket pistol, but then thought better of it, and moved toward the passenger car.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn in a bear rage emerged from the shadows, charging the lorry-softened operative. I heard screams and the operative who had eyes on me turned in a panic and pulled his submachine gun up to try and defend himself from this new threat. I could hear the screams go silent even over the noise of the lorry picking up speed.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tear them apart, Bjorn.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Wayfarer Pegasus turned on its lights and a throaty roar from the V12 engine came toward us. I tested the back door of the lorry, which opened easily. I slipped into the back.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I saw Blanka’s slight form trying to negotiate the gears and the large steering wheel.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Keep going, Blanka! We’re going to have company soon.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She didn’t respond, engrossed with getting everything where it needed to be. Thankfully, she’s always been a quick study. I could see a stream of blood running down her arm, slicking her shifting hand. She was likely operating entirely off of adrenaline.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That made two of us.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I looked around the cargo area. A tangle of a net hanging from the ceiling held another set of the three-quarters plate armor. Boxes and crates written in Gualish. I had to shift my thinking until I laid my eyes on a box with a clearly stenciled “grenade” on it. I raised the lid; it was nearly full. I grabbed two pulled the pin on the first, but held the spoon. I opened the latch of one of the cargo doors and let it swing open by itself. I quickly popped out and saw that the Pegasus was parallel with us, not quite caught up. They were focused on the driver side of the lorry. The soldier that had been forced to sit with us was aiming forward. He let loose a round and I could hear shattered glass from the front. Blanka swore loudly in response.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I gave the soldier a little something to distract him. I tossed the first grenade through the open window and pulled a pin on the next one, priming it to explode on impact with a quarter twist.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With a throaty roar, the Pegasus moved forward again, this time in clipping the lorry. I smacked my head against one of the metal cabinets in the lorry. I felt my grip slip on the grenade, but braced it against me as I gripped the edge of the cabinet I had just clipped my head on.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another head check and I saw the car slip back again, leaving the window in full view. The first explosion went off, blasting out the rest of the unbroken windows in the rear passenger area. The soldier held his head against the concussion. Blood leaked from under his armor and out his ears, but he was still alive.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He spotted me. His eyes widened as I kissed the grenade. I lobbed it effortlessly through the window. The resulting blast blew the door open. The man’s torso flopped forward to the floor of the open door. His hands danced against the ground; quickly turning into an unrecognizable pulp.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I saw the lights from the passenger vehicle moving up on our right. I ducked into the back of the lorry with the intent of telling Blanka, but the roar of the Pegasus rushed us again. The world rocked. I braced against impact. I saw Blanka bounce from her seat. We were now on a flat grassy field. The whole lorry rattled with the speed. Blanka tried to regain her seat, but was unable to get her feet under her.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I couldn’t do anything but hold on. I saw Blanka get ahold of the wheel to steady our progress over the grassy field. I heard the engine straining against the gears as it began to slow.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Suddenly, the world began to spin. I reached up and grabbed the net on the ceiling and clung to it as the ceiling became the floor. We landed, scattering the contents of the whole lorry around me. The vehicle slid to a halt, when I looked up, I saw the front windshield shattered and Blanka was lying prone in the grass, her red hair shimmering in the headlights.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My heart sunk at the sight of her still form.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don’t die on me, Blanka.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I grappled through the armor, and found a 1934 pistol in the holster. Not my weapon of choice, but I didn’t really </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">have</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> a choice. Among the scattered items, I found a bar of field healing chocolates. I ripped it open, broke the bar in half, and jammed it in my mouth. I could feel their properties begin to work, but it began to turn my stomach. I swallowed hard on the rest of it. I kept the other portions ready in hand for Blanka.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Wayfarer Pegasus was still speeding ahead. Then something strange happened. The car flipped without warning, sending dirt and grass flying as it ground to a stop, it’s headlights still pushing off into the darkness.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lights from the passenger car caught up on the right and stayed lit on the scene. I could hear the door shut rapidly. I started to move toward the front of the lorry walking on the ceiling, staying low to keep an eye on Blanka, who had begun to stir and moved to her hands and knees.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stay down, girl. Stay down!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I heard shouting. The driver from the other vehicle was running toward the lorry, he paused and shot two rounds at Blanka, both connected spritzing clouds of blood. She flopped back to the ground.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just as I moved forward, the woman turned from the lorry’s front door toward me. She wore an ugly scowl, she brought up her pistol and let two rounds loose. One shot clipped my left arm. The other was at my head narrowly grazing my jawline.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another two shots rang out, the first thudded into flesh jerking her forward. Another burst through the woman’s neck. She grabbed at the wound, blood spurting through her fingers. The menacing scowl turned to a look of disgust as she stumbled forward. She fell forward to the roof of the lorry’s cab, her expression slowly relaxing as the flow of blood ebbed away.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I splashed through the blood ducking through the opened door. The driver was still running forward. Blanka was on her back, her own Faust pistol was raised toward the woman. She was the one who ended her. I tossed one of the chocolates toward Blanka, who fumbled for it uselessly.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The driver saw me square off with him and he slowed to take a shot. I leveled two shots, the first blowing out his knee, sending him to the ground. The last took him right in the forehead. He unceremoniously dropped face first into the grass with a thud.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I looked ahead, catching sight, again, of a woman with a shock of white hair. She stood in the lights of the overturned Pegasus and then seemed to vanish. I shook off the vision and ran toward Blanka’s side. She was covered in scrapes, bruises, and blood. Cherry blossoms in her flesh showed the gunshots she’d taken. I broke multiple chocolates off and pressed them into her mouth one by one. She chewed, slowly. The motion itself seemed to be painful. While blood no longer flowed from the wounds, she was far from well.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn charged from behind the lorry. He turned the corner as I scooped up Blanka and started for the passenger car that was still idling with its lights on. He acted quickly, moving to the car and opening the rear driver side door. I lifted Blanka into the seat. She slumped to the side, slicking the rear bench with blood.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn’s breath was just getting under control. Sweat stood out on his forehead. I looked back to the forms lying on the ground a good distance from where we stood.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I heard gunshots,” Bjorn said between breaths, “That way.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He flagged to the East of us. Maurik and Elsbeth marched to the front and center of my mind.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Damnit. We’ve got to get to them.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’ve got something I need ta do.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn strode forward, pulling a throwing axe from his belt. While he moved to the front, I ran to the back of the lorry. I retrieved the only other chocolate bar I saw and quickly collected the grenades into the small crate. I was getting used to the very Bjorn-inspired idea of keeping a grenade on me at all times. I carried out the crate and Bjorn gave me an approving nod from the driver’s seat.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The woman’s head had been severed and tossed to the floor of the passenger’s seat. Her eyes were open, slightly rolled back. That softened look of disgust was still there, too. Blood had dried across her cheek and lips like smeared makeup after a particularly bad night.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While it was particularly horrifying, it was all too fitting of an end.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What’s this for?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“A reminder ta trust myself. And be wary of liars.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They do things very differently in Normandy.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I sat, I reached back and squeezed Blanka’s knee. She looked spent; her gaze listless.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn grunted something about getting his axe from the field. I remembered my Toro was still out there, too. He turned the car back to bloodied forms on the airfield and pressed the gas.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka spoke as we sped across the field.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I was useless. I couldn’t do anything.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No. You are the reason we got out of there. Everything you did is why we’re still alive. You made it possible for us to evade. And you taking the lorry? I would have been dead for sure if you hadn’t done that.” I squeezed her knee again, “I’m alive, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">again</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, because of you.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She wasn’t having it. Her eyes were glassy, tears forming as she stared out the window, biting back the pain and swallowing hard. We were going to have to talk when she wasn’t so vulnerable. She needed to understand how important her role was here. Right now, I was just happy she was alive.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn looked at her in the rearview mirror.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Blanka.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I watched her meet his gaze through the mirror.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Shield maiden.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I saw her jaw tense and her head inclined with his words. One of the tears fell in response. She wore it like a badge.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We stopped and both Bjorn and I hopped out and grabbed our weapons from the field. I looked at the Spitzers and the other enforcers. I shook my head in disgust.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I could hear the gunshots that Bjorn mentioned. A thin report carrying over the air. I holstered the gun and sprinted back to the car.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another sound filled the air. Above I could see the lights of a large airship, its form filled the night sky, blocking out the stars. It looked like a commercial flight.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If that was the flight they were going to take us on, I wondered how they intended to get us on board. I took a mental note to look up the flight later and make a request for any record of ticket purchases.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We sped out of the airfield. Bjorn was taking corners at speed, setting the passenger car to squealing at points. I put my head out the window to listen for more gunshot reports. The flash of headlights in the streets below the highway showed us our quarry. A few gunshots rang out. Bjorn pulled from the highway, dropping toward the streets below.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I felt the head of the woman bouncing against my foot with each sharp turn. It was as if she was trying to get my attention from the afterlife. I felt a little bile rise up in my throat as the wobbling trophy looked up at me with her sightless eyes from the darkness.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The pursuit we watched wasn’t exactly fast, but prone to zig-zags to angle for better shots. The majority of gunshots were coming from the lead car, Bjorn’s Cab. Bjorn maneuvered the car in a straight line and leaned heavily into the gas.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Take the wheel,” he bellowed.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Wait. What?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I fumbled for the wheel while Bjorn reached behind the seat and produced his battleaxe. His door swung open and he pulled himself up, stepping on the door frame. He took two steps then leapt into the air. The car rocked with his motion as he timed his impact with the chasing car. I saw the surprised look of the blonde driver.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">‘The Hammer’ was being introduced to the axe.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A two-handed throw broke through the windshield and dug deep into the man’s chest. Bjorn landed on the hood, then used the impact to bounce up over the roof. I kept eyes on him as we drove past, watching as he tucked and rolled once when he hit the ground. He was back on his feet in split-second.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I forgot that I was holding the wheel. We rumbled off the paved road into rough grass. The car bucked for a moment until we rocked to a halt as the car stalled. Blanka groaned from the backseat.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Sorry. Sorry.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My stumbling apology was all I could get out. I’m sure I was wide-eyed. What Bjorn just did reaffirmed my respect for the man.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I shifted over to the driver’s seat and began to crank the engine. The engine resisted. I watched through the rear window to follow the action. The chasing car had also rumbled off to the side of the road and was high centered on a low stone fence. The driver side door was open. Maurik had spun the Desoto around and parked close to the scene. He leapt out and joined Bjorn in pursuit of the driver. Elsbeth was a little more methodical about her dismount, shutting the door behind her with a hurried walk.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The engine finally caught. I backed out and took the path they did up to a bare patch of road. Everyone stood around a single spot. I turned the vehicle toward the spot and let the lights bathe the area.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I stepped out of the vehicle and was hit with a strange medicinal smell. I scrunched my nose at it. I beckoned Elsbeth over.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Elsbeth. Quickly. Blanka needs tending to. She’s in the back seat. She’s hurt.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You’re</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> hurt. Let me take …”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I interrupted. More than anything, I wanted Elsbeth and Blanka to have a mutual respect. As it stands, working with each other in dire situations would allow them to rely on each other. At least, I hoped it would.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No. I am fine. You can tend to me later. She needs you now.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She paused, her expression was well guarded. She remained tight lipped and, after a moment, she nodded and moved past me to the rear seat.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I moved to where the headlights pierced the night. I could see where their bewilderment had set in. A clear bloodtrail that abruptly ended mid-stride. The medicinal smell persisted.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What happened? Did you have eyes on him?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maurik shook his head. I could see Bjorn’s knuckles going white.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’ve seen this before.” Bjorn said through clenched teeth, “Men disappearing just like this. It is a Phantom Vest used to cross over the Bridge World.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I studied his reaction. This was all new information to me. We needed to know what they were capable of and turn those advantages against them.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No chance to follow him, then?” I shrugged, “It doesn’t matter. I’d hate to be the one to report on this mission. I doubt that they’re all that accepting of failure. And he has no idea what’s left of his team at the airfield.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maurik’s lumbering form turned to me.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What happened, boss?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Let’s clean up here and I’ll tell you on the way back to the hotel,” I smirked at him, “You can take the passenger seat.”</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*Summary:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The meeting with Angelica Bess was a ruse. The deception was Echelon’s attempt to draw out and capture SAC Bess.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The letter we received in the name of Bella Davor contained a considerably detailed disclosure around Echelon’s active campaign against Bella Davor as a way to give this request for a meeting some credibility. They unveiled her as, and I </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">still</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> can’t believe I’m saying this, a </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">vampire.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> They disclosed the capture of </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">another</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> vampire that they were actively experimenting on. They described how all of her assets and property within Clovia were either seized or destroyed.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They spared no expense in laying the trap. We narrowly escaped the trap with injuries but no casualties. If things hadn’t worked out exactly as they had, we would likely have been captured and taken by airship to Clovian soil.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Echelon? They didn’t fare so well. Seven of their agents died with ‘The Hammer’ as the one remaining Echelon agent who narrowly escaped using a ‘bridge’ device.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ultimately, the mission did yield more information. I was able to confirm that the vampire in Echelon’s hands has been eliminated and that Bella Davor is still actively fighting against the shadow organization. There may be a chance for an alliance, but it will be based on Bella’s own terms and a healthy amount of trust. Actively pursuing an alliance is unlikely, but we should keep the door open for the possibility.</span></p></span>Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435808207395330499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526285455094698909.post-79618142027188545782020-06-15T10:36:00.006-07:002020-06-15T12:26:45.810-07:00Vignette - Vampiress in Distress<span id="docs-internal-guid-a6b02179-7fff-3e3b-b106-7945a56880af" style="line-height: 1.5;"><p style="line-height: 1.5; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.5; white-space: pre-wrap;">The train rocked gently, the afternoon light streaming through the window, spilling over my hands and then casting them back into shadow as the tracks slowly curved along the mountainside.</span><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.5; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I thumbed at the letter, running my fingers gingerly over the slit that Angelica had made in the yellow parchment envelope. The paper was dense, expensive. It reminded me of culture, circumstance and high society.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.5; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.5; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The train shimmied briefly and we plunged into darkness. I caught my breath. It was always disconcerting for such a stark change. The small lit lamps at the corners of the car emitting a pale yellow glow provided little comfort. It was a few moments before we emerged from the tunnel back into sunlight.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.5; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I pulled the letter from the envelope and reviewed it again. Looking for a hidden meaning. Looking for the danger in the words written there. This BellaDavor was as straightforward about her nature as one could possibly be. A woman possessed--and quite literally.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.5; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had volunteered for this, I hand picked my team. When I gave them the option they accepted without hesitation. Blanka sat in the seat ahead, her head bent over a book. Elsbeth sat next to me. She studied the faces of the other passengers. Watching their expressions. Reading their eyes. Peering into their respective stories. Her hands were folded neatly, covered in silky white gloves that boldly contrasted against her dark skin. It looked as if she could remain this perfectly poised indefinitely.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.5; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This was the first time that we’d worked together since becoming Operators. It was already obvious that Blanka and Elsbeth were a combustible pairing. It was a risk, but I was willing to take the chance. Blanka’s keen handling of high society. Elsbeth’s infinite calm and medical expertise. I took comfort in her presence. Especially now, having been at death’s door merely days before.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.5; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I glanced at the letter again, then brought it to my nose. A faint scent of perfume clung there. I inspected the words again. The writing was calm and even. The ink was pulled from the pen by a hand under no duress. Yet, she was the one asking for help.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.5; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Five hundred years.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.5; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She was old enough to see the rise and fall of nations. She would outlast ours, too, if she was allowed. Bella looked to us as our mutual enemy breathed down her neck. They burned her house and had driven her from safety. I grew more heated the more I thought on it. Hearing of a damsel in distress triggered a deep-seated need to charge in and save the day. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.5; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn was right. I was too much of a boy scout. Infinitely helpful and, yet, completely ignorant of those who prey on compassion. I needed to push this idea from my mind. This addled idea that Bella was helpless. It was a dangerous thought. It was a thought that would blind me to how capable she was. And it was a thought that would put everyone who trusted me in grave danger.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.5; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I folded the letter carefully and slid it back into the envelope. I returned to absently thumbing at it while looking out the window.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.5; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Bani?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.5; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elsbeth looked concerned. Her eyes moved to my hands. My fingers were slippery. Scarlet drops stained the envelope. I was immediately aware of the thin pain tracing its way through my hand as I inspected the paper cut on my bloodied thumb.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.5; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The train trembled again and my jaw clenched unconsciously. I closed my eyes as we plunged into the darkness.</span></p></span>Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435808207395330499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526285455094698909.post-49985243317278614882020-06-15T10:33:00.005-07:002020-06-15T13:39:46.165-07:00Journal - In Between<span id="docs-internal-guid-7133c6b6-7fff-57b5-1ec9-b7ed526c10d4"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The return home was quiet. Everyone was exhausted. Each of us had turned into our own moments of reflection and introspection.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The most surprising was Blanka herself. Quiet, head down over her journal. Cornel had practically passed out against the glass, but the rumble of the tires over the road obscured any sleep noises he was making. And I could guarantee he was making them with his mouth lolled open and face pressed awkwardly against the glass. I dozed, but only for brief moments. I was continually being startled awake. I’d gasp, then check on everyone from the passenger seat then I’d descend back into the haze.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This meditative state that Bjorn dropped into appeared to be healthier than I expected. Driving, hands on the wheel, even when darkness seemed to shroud his eyes. That sense of control; deciding the direction he was going, possibly gave him a grip on the darkness he kept at bay. The way his dossier read, it sounded like he’d lived multiple lifetimes. Ultimately, he was limited to the life he had in front of him. The things he’d seen, he likely could not process--much less cope with--in the remaining time he had.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was starting to get a backlog of this myself. My escape was hitting the road; disappearing into the wilds of some far off place. Perhaps I could afford the time soon. The one thing about being with my allies--my friends--was that I didn’t feel lonely. Which brought me to a realization; I didn’t know that I had been lonely up to this point.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Looking back at Blanka without being obvious was difficult. I wanted to keep an eye on her. Almost losing her on that ferry was devastating. I kept playing back through the choices in my head. Had we not boarded the ferry, it would have been anyone’s guess as to what would have happened to her after that. Each “what if” thought struck like a hammer striking an anvil. Each time the sharp clang would send a chill down my spine.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka was aggressively writing. The act of it brought a crinkle around her young eyes as she bore down on the paper. She had gone silent during our initial banter in the car. I could see that her encounter with Aaron had shaken her. I saw only a moment of it when shaking her free of his influence when on the docks. I felt that she needed a shock like this to know how badly things could go, but, while she needed something to shock her out of the complacency of youth, she didn’t deserve to be </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">hurt</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in the process.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As soon as Aaron was dealt with and we returned to the hotel, we didn’t wait to tie up any loose ends. We piled all of our equipment into the boot, settled our time at the hotel, and began our journey back to Nachtricher headquarters. I took a note of the different accounts I did need to settle:</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bridgette, she asked us not to kill the Cardinal. I figure I owed her an explanation.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I hoped the family of the man whom we killed would be compensated, in some way, by the church. What happened to him… what the Kalderari did to him… then what </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">we</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> did to him… the whole matter was wholly unfair.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some explanations of the brutal death of the man that was under her care would also be acceptable, but that simply was an unfortunate series of circumstances. Even though our part in it was essential for the safety of the town, it was a brutal finale.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In a way, the Kalderari paid penance with a sacrifice of one of their own during the assault on the church. Still, I took little comfort in the thought.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vadim? I’ll figure out what to do there. Thank him for his involvement. Sympathize with his loss. Then, there would be a chance to give him a path of diplomacy for the betterment of his people. If they wished to be treated fairly, there would ultimately be an exchange. I’d definitely make him work for it. I have enough paperwork to do as it is.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hours passed and the morning turned into afternoon. We stopped for petrol only once with the investment in bluegas. The one stop gave us a nice view of the lush, dew soaked valleys. Mist clung to the lowlands and slowly receded with the approach of the sun. There were scattered gray clouds, but they couldn’t keep the sun at bay. It didn’t change the temperature much, though.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our arrival at the castle brought on a little disgust from Bjorn.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Who’s in charge of </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">your</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> security?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I blinked at the question.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“My security? Nachtrichter?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes, dat.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I know who should be-” I stammered, “If there’s a problem, you should bring this up with the Special Agent in Charge.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Angelica, yes?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I nodded in response. As we moved up the road and directly into the castle proper, he gestured at the unguarded opened gates and scoffed. I could imagine that Angelica was going to hear an earful.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The courtyard was nearly empty outside of some vehicles parked neatly near the entrance between the dorms and the Keep. We exited the vehicle and each of us walked in different directions. Bjorn was headed to the Keep. I went the opposite way, moving toward the kitchen. I wanted a little breathing room between when he visited and I gave my final report to Angelica.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I hadn’t eaten anything since just before the ferry ride. That was hours ago. I was famished. It was right between lunch and dinner when the cafeteria was most likely to be unoccupied. That appealed to me; the effort of social engagement right now was the last thing I wanted.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Walking into the room, I saw only one person: Elsbeth sitting with a book. I made a guess that she’d been there since noon. A plate with only traces of a meal was next to her.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elsbeth glanced up.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Hello, Bani.” She said politely with a nod.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Afternoon, Elsbeth.” I said, returning the nod.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She returned quickly to her book. It was a sign letting me know that she didn’t want to be interrupted. I busied about the kitchen area, pulling together a grand sandwich with meats and cheeses from the icebox along with some crisp greens. I layered the meat with spicy mustard and butter and turned on the gas stove and dropped it on a pan to toast the bread.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A few minutes later, I moved out of the kitchen with a plate in hand, balancing the warmed sandwich along with some unruly pickles. I saw Elsbeth mark her place in the book and close it and place it on the table. It was a plain volume, clothbound with red fabric backing. Gold letters graced the spine, but I couldn’t read the title in the dim light.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“May I sit?” I asked.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She smiled and nodded, gesturing to the seat across the table.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elsbeth appreciated the social contract. It was clear when we were going through training. The minutiae of interaction that shows a mutual respect for the other. Exchanging pleasantries was a way, in a sense, to put her at ease. She appreciated the custom, the sensibility, the </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">order</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of it. She was extremely level headed which made her one of the easier people to converse with. You knew almost exactly what to expect.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As a counterpoint, she rarely deviated into the inane and silly. Her straight-laced nature was both her strength and her weakness. She would </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">not</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> be a good drinking companion. Or, I would assume she wouldn’t be. Outside of our brief moments working together before graduation, she was very much all business.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“How was your mission, Bani?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Successful! Although, I am going to have some scars after this.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I touched some tender spots on my chest. Elsbeth scrutinized me as she saw me wince with the effort. I immediately realized my mistake as she bounded forward, lifting up my shirt. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Wait!”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I tried to hold her at bay, but she’d already seen the damage.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So much for knowing what to expect.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You need to come with me to the infirmary. </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She had entirely moved beyond the pleasantries on the express train to pure business. I was floundering in her territory and she wasn’t going to let me get away with anything. I was hustled toward the infirmary, wincing, longingly looking back at the plate with my sandwich on it.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elsbeth is the daughter of two Montanicans; both of which were well respected field medics during the war. Her calling was the same as theirs. Unfortunately, her ability considerably outmatched the needs of peacetime. Her coming to Nachtrichter was one of the ways she had been able to put those skills to good use.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was told, in no uncertain terms, to lie down on one of the narrow operating beds in the infirmary. She had nearly gotten my shirt off before we’d entered the room.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Why did you not come to me sooner?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She was more than indignant.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I didn’t even know you were here!”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She grumbled to herself, gingerly peeling back the bandages and inspecting the wounds. One of her eyebrows raised for a moment.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I recognize some divine healing.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Something I got from the Cardinal just before we put him down.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her eyes widened at that. She waved a hand in front of her, making a practiced gesture. It was something I’d seen before, I assumed it was a prayer of sorts, but not being at all religious, I didn’t know what she meant by it. Elsbeth is </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">extremely</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> faith driven.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After inspecting the wounds, she looked at the ones that were still weeping. She rubbed her hands together and placed them on two of the more significant wounds and closed her eyes with a whispered prayer. Her hands became hot--just short of unbearably so--but it only lasted a moment. There were points of sharp pain as I felt my skin crawl and shift under the pressure of her palms.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As she leaned back, she took a breath and shook her hands out. I had never actually needed to be under Elsbeth’s care, but I had seen others who did. This was an eye-opening experience.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I-I don’t know what to say.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She interrupted me.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“There’s still more to be done. Stay there. Let me do my job.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She moved through the cabinets, pulling out a small sewing kit with a hooked needle along with a series of bandages, disinfectants, and analgesics. The overhead medical lamp was switched on and quickly leveled at my gut. She set to work deadening the area then stitching shut what remained of the wounds.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Clean, precise, and focused. I had an entirely new respect for Elsbeth. I knew she was good, but this work was exceptional.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After the finishing touches on the last gunshot wound, she stood up and inspected her work. She nodded upon review, reached up and switched the medical spotlight off.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You are under my care, now. You do not leave this room. I will bring you food so you can rest until you recover.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As she spoke, her face was deadly serious.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Make sure you find Cornel. He was worse off than I was.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That set her off again. Elsbeth shook her head at me, clearly noting my lack of priority.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You need to rest, Bani,” Elsbeth said, pointing at a more comfortable bed across the infirmary, “I’ll be back to check on you.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She gathered up a mid-length felt coat from the back of one of the chairs and departed. She was on a mission.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I waited for a moment before sitting up. The outer doors had shut. I expected that I was in the clear unless she spotted Cornel sooner than I hoped she would. I didn’t want to wait to find out. I donned my shirt quickly, noticing that nothing </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">hurt</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> as I lifted my arms above my head. You don’t realize how much pain you were in until the pain is gone.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I gathered my things from around the room and moved into the cafeteria. My sandwich was still there, the bread had grown somewhat stale, but it was edible. I snatched it from the plate, grabbed the pickle, and made my way out to the courtyard.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Enough time had passed that a visit to Angelica would be appropriate. I made my way there, hoping not to run into a fervent Elsbeth along the way.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"></p><hr /><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I am sending you this letter as an introduction. My name was Judith Eckardus,” I read the opening sentence aloud.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The letter started with an explanation of origins. An almost pragmatic view of history. This Judith was born 1457 IC. Sought after for her beauty, her husband elevated her from merely a slave to the wife of a noble, Lord Staufen.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I continued.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Public records will show that Lord Staufen was murdered by his wife shortly after his return from a two year campaign for the Quadradine Order of the Church of Vedicia.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“During my husband’s campaign to rid the county of demon spirits, he became possessed by one. I killed my husband out of self defense. In the process I contracted an affliction of the blood that persists to this day. A side effect of the disorder is that the ravages of time do not affect my appearance. I have been called many things over the centuries. The most apt description--to borrow from literature--is to say I am a vampire. Your contacts within the Talamasca should be able to verify my story.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I looked up at Angelica.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“A vampire?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I gave her an incredulous look.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Keep reading,” Angelica prompted.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Since that time I have been known by many names, most recently Bella Davor. I understand your organization is charged with the enforcement of the Legerdemain Accords. A covert operation under your command. I appeal to your charter.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I stopped. I had to. I rubbed my forehead with my right hand as I spoke.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“She’s around five hundred years old and she’s asking for help? You can’t be serious. I’m still getting used to the </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">idea</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> that there are actual vampires. Have you met one?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Angelica shrugged, but she had a smirk that spoke volumes.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn had just been in here and there were two used glasses from what they had consumed from earlier. I did notice that Angelica smiled just a little more in this state. She was warmer company when business wasn’t the only thing in her head.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I decided to partake a bit myself and poured some Appenzellar for myself without ice. I figured I might as well join her. I lifted the bottle toward her with an offer to refill her glass.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Just that much,” She said, holding her finger apart an infinitesimal amount.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I splashed some into the glass as an approximation. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“But they do exist. Vampires.” I said then mused to myself, “What have I signed up for?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“This is entirely voluntary. While she appeals to our charter, we’re not exactly set up for what she’s asking. Keep reading, you’re getting to the interesting part.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I continued.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I have only known of a few of my kind in all my years, as we tend to keep to ourselves. That said, I had discovered recently that one of us had been captured by a secret organization reporting to high ranking members of the Clovian court. This in itself is not unusual. What is strange is they did not destroy him upon capture. I believe that they are keeping him captive for use in experiments contrary to the Legerdemain Accords.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Angelica put up her hand. I stopped reading and gave her my attention.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“She’s talking about Echelon. This is a concern. The experiments are clearly a violation of the accords, not that that’s any surprise coming out of Clovia, but their studies could represent a major threat. If they’re building up for conflict, we know that they’ll do almost anything to win the next war.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I nodded at that. I could imagine Bjorn’s skin crawling at the thought. I should have had the same reaction. Perhaps I lack imagination. I was still in the “I’ll have to see it to believe it” category.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I looked ahead in the letter.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“She doesn’t seem too concerned about it,” I said, then continued reading, “I do not bring this to your attention in an effort to rescue him, his fate is likely sealed. A deserved fate to be sure. My motives are more personal.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Angelica interjected, adding some color to the words.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It is likely this other vampire is under lock and key deep in Clovian territory and, likely, untouchable by us. We have people close, but not that close.” Angelica said this, but seemed to question if that was an appropriate amount of disclosure.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I didn’t react, but my curiosity was piqued. I finished the passage.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“In exchange for your protection, I offer my services and considerable knowledge. If you are interested in further discussions I will await your contact. Enclosed are box tickets to the Grand Theater for the evening of Saturday the 5th. If you wish to entertain my offer I will look forward to seeing you at the theater in Genf. Bring a single white rose tied with a black ribbon and you will know me in kind.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Midway through the reading, Angelica slid two tickets over the desk toward me.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’m not much of a theater goer.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You’ll do just fine,” she said with a smile, then hastily added, “</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> you wish to do it. Again, this is entirely voluntary.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Will it help with our charter?” I asked.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Angelica leaned back in her chair with the thought, her red curls bunched behind her as she did so. Angelica was petite and kept her appearance more toward bookish, but I knew she could doll herself up if she needed to. Blanka and her shared similar expressions, but I could tell that Blanka’s appearance was a little longer, and slightly taller than her mother’s.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I realized that Blanka seeming taller was simply an impression. It was a little concerning that I don’t remember ever seeing both mother and daughter in the same room. I felt an internal pang of regret at the thought. I wondered if Angelica felt the same.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She finally spoke.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’m sure you’ll get something useful out of it. Vampires are exceptionally dangerous and an ally of that nature may be helpful, but also unpredictable. You know as well as anyone that people can change under pressure, or the lack thereof.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Angelica leaned forward out of her chair and leaned on her desk pausing briefly to sip the Appenzeller I poured, then continued her thought.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“When the stress of this moment is gone, would she maintain her disposition toward us? You are going to have to determine that. She’s got, oh, four hundred fifty years of experience on you. So, I’ll leave that to your best judgment.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She finished the remaining Appenzellar and put the glass down firmly as another thought came to her.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That is, </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">if</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> you choose to pursue the investigation.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I grinned at her. Her cheeks were a little flush. Angelica </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">would</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> be a good drinking companion. Entertaining even while discussing the intricacies of diplomacy, posturing, and how out-of-my-league I was going to be.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You’ve done your own research, correct?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her head bobbed loosely in response.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“And all the situations she’s been in checked out? Clovia has her under siege?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes. They’re turning her world upside down.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was a moment of anger, or, perhaps, disgust in her expression, as she said it. That was enough for me to make a decision.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Sure. I’ll do this.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I swept the tickets in my hand and gathered the letter together.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I can choose my team?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Whoever isn’t already on mission. Are you going to work with Bjorn again?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Absolutely. I trust him implicitly. And he keeps me in check when I start to trust a little too much. His contract still applies, correct?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“He’s decided to join us.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I smiled broadly at that.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Excellent to hear! How did you convince him?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“He didn’t need much convincing. He’ll be taking up residence across the hall.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I scrunched my face at that.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh, come now, Bani. Many members of Nachrichter live in Habsburg Castle, it’s not </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> unusual.” She said with mock scolding, “Speaking of Bjorn, though. He’s had very good things to say about you. This is something I’ve been considering both because of the experience you bring and the fact that you were one of our top graduates.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She slipped a mimeographed page in front of me, filled out with my name and new rank: Senior Special Agent. I leaned forward and looked at the page.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“How about that!” I smiled at the page, “This means I can legitimately pull rank now?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Bjorn is a Senior Special Agent, too, correct?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes. His experience brought him to that level.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Good. He’s saved my life… </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">our</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> lives, plenty of times already. I’m glad to hear it.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Your,” she paused for effect, “</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">briefings</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> have said as much. You may want to consider what that word means.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh! You read my book?” I said with feigned delight, “Remember, </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">you</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> are the one who hired a delinquent author with </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">far</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> too much to say.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She shook her head at that then put a pen on the desk in front of me.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“If you accept, sign it. We’ll get started on your updated pay rate. You deserve it.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I put down the page, skimmed the details for anything untoward like <i>v</i></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>ampire</i></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> food</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. I took the pen and drew out my name with a flourish and noted the current date. Angelica pushed back from the desk and stood in response.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Congratulations, Senior Special Agent Bani Elkind.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She extended a hand with the words and smiled. I took her hand--gentle, but firm--and shook twice. Once we disengaged, I swept my glass off the desk and shot the rest of the Appenzellar then placed it gently down again. I made my way for the door.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“If you need to evict your new tenant, let me know. I’d be happy to help.” I grinned at her as I stepped through the door. “You’ll know when that needs to happen, too. It’ll be about the time he brings a hog into his room and says he has business with Odin.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The smile on her face faltered for a moment. It briefly changed to a look of bewilderment as I closed the door behind me.</span></p></span>Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435808207395330499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526285455094698909.post-9377183602686041932020-06-09T12:27:00.002-07:002020-06-15T10:10:38.392-07:00Report - Operation Monsignor Wolf - Part 3<span id="docs-internal-guid-3da8357b-7fff-66ed-a870-4ac8942cd97c"><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 20pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 20pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mission Debrief</span></h1><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Expenses: 94 Lyra</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Addendum:</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Continuing from previous reporting.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Cardinal didn’t talk like a Cardinal. Now, it was a matter of getting as much out of him as possible. At least, to understand his nature. His ruse to pull us in possibly would have worked if we hadn’t already understood the magical influences around him. Bjorn refused to back down, and that revealed just enough doubt to warrant further investigation. We also knew very little about Aaron Paul’s role.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The door was shut and we positioned the Cardinal in his office away from his desk while we looked for clues. Bjorn pressed him into his chair and then moved to an adjoining room to take a look around. Blanka closed her eyes and breathed deeply. Her eyes opened, unfocused and glazed over. She took in the room around her.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“There’s something missing. One major illusion is no longer here.” She said, pointing absently to a corner of the room, “Someone else was likely in the room with us earlier.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I saw the Cardinal roll his eyes and a look of disgust remained.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“He’s the one you want. That man, Aaron Paul. The church hired him to help with our accounting. He found some discrepancies.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He paused, then continued.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’ll admit it. I had borrowed from the church. I tried to get out from under it, but he held it over me. If I could have just gotten a loan from someone. I could have fixed everything.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I kept him talking, holding my gun on the man, while waiting for Blanka and Bjorn to report in. Blanka pulled things from the desk drawers and from around the office and laid them on the table surface.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“How did Aaron get hired by the church?” I asked.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“He made a large donation. That got him an audience. Once he was in, he offered to keep the church’s books for a minor fee. Someone </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">else</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> hired him and gave him access to the details. I didn’t know until it was too late.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While I still didn’t trust him, the story was convincing. His emotion around it was palpable. He pointed out an account ledger that Blanka found and had tossed on the table.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I shrugged.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I wouldn’t know the first place to look in there.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Nope. Not my thing,” Blanka said.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn came back into the room, tossing a book on the table, and immediately resumed his stance with the Vindicator leveled at the man’s head.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Studying up?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Cardinal visibly broke into a sweat. After a moment, all pretense immediately dropped. The man’s stolid face was now all venom and bared teeth. He knew he’d been discovered.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What is it?” I asked.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Summary? It’s a book on how ta be a Cardinal. It’s well used, too. Notes and everything.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn said it as he stared at the Imposter, shotgun at the ready.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Where is da real Cardinal?” Bjorn asked with mock politeness.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He didn’t respond.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Then, what are ya?” Bjorn prodded him.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I can’t tell you. I have to show you,” The Imposter’s voice hissed, his menace completely unmasked.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh, you can tell us,” Bjorn said, giving the table a little tap with the barrel of the shotgun.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No, I’m kept from revealing myself. I have been cursed. Remove my necklace and I will then be able to show you my true self.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cornel slumped suddenly, leaning forward on the table, acting strangely.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t feel good, boss.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He looked up at me and then flopped to the floor.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I narrowed my eyes at the Cardinal and moved to check on Cornel, the quick movements reminded me that I was far from healthy. I winced as I knelt by Cornel’s side. He was alive, still breathing. Something had come over him, though, and I couldn’t tell if he was in danger.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What did you do to him?” I shouted.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Remove my necklace and I will show you who I am,” the Imposter insisted.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka quickly spoke.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I can do it.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She focused on the Cardinal. It was the first time I recognized how I know when Blanka is using magic. A little warning will be helpful in the future.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The necklace began to rise from his shoulders. When he realized that no one was in contact with the necklace he became extremely agitated. As it rose past his ears, he bolted from his chair, instantly changing his shape into a horrifying creature. It looked like a regular person had been flipped inside out--organs, lungs, musculature all sitting on the outside of his form. I gasped at the sight of it, but then it immediately shifted to mimic Bjorn.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Doppleganger!” Bjorn roared, then touched off multiple shots from his shotgun. Wood splintered around with one round making contact and splashing the wall with blood and flesh.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was some solace with knowing It still could bleed. I bolted to the door, making sure he couldn’t open it and get away. I shot the latch, in an attempt to make it more difficult for him to escape.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka jumped up on the table and held her hands out toward the Imposter and lightning danced between the two of them. It dodged briefly until Blanka corrected and lightning danced over the Doppleganger. Bjorn appeared to have had enough, he tossed the shotgun down and I saw up close and personal as he swelled into his clothes, fur sprouting from the tears that had already happened. His hands expanded and large tine-like claws protruded painfully from the tips of his fingers. His head grew around his eyes, and a toothy muzzle pressed out from his face. He cornered the creature and began to slash into him. The creature had a hooklike claw that scored chunks out of Bjorn’s bear flesh. I backed away carefully and trained my gun on the creature. It was bleeding heavily within moments. It regained it’s true form, a disgusting inverted corpse, and it’s organs all visibly working as it fought to survive.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn bit down. Sending the creature to the floor. Then, I realized what I had seen at a distance from the courtyard earlier. The heart, on the outside of the rib cage, was readily accessible. The bear took the heart in its jaws and ripped it from the body, all while roaring loudly.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cornel’s eyes snapped open at the roar. He looked terrified.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was a quiet moment as the bear swung his head around, then slowly the rage slipped from him and Bjorn reappeared from under the fur. In the silence, there was the drip of viscera and heavy breathing. Slowly, another song joined: Sirens.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Recognition rippled through the group. I shouted out orders.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Grab what we can. Check his desk again, anything that he would have owned would be critical to understand what happened here. Blanka, can you make us disappear again?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“For a while, but…”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We need it. And we need it now.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She nodded to the request.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I wish we had a camera,” Bjorn mused as he collected items from the room, “We need ta show others these horrors we encounter.” </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh, one of these?” Blanka responded.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She pulled out a small case from the satchel she was carrying. There was a tapered accordion with a small embedded lense that extended on a rail. I had seen something like that before. It was similar to the one I saw in the Journalist’s pocket just days earlier. She extracted a glass bulb and threaded it into a little reflective cup. She held it up toward the creature’s body and there was a blinding burst of light along with an audible pop.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“There. Got it.” she said with a smile.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I leaned down and collected Cornel, he was awake and aware but unable to lift himself. I looped his arm over my shoulders and took him by the waist. He was able to weakly navigate with his legs.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka put her camera away and then did her clap, holding her arms above her head.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn played with the door until it opened. Then we shuffled out of the office, leaving the disturbing looking body in open display on the floor. Something bad went down here tonight, and the only thing that remains was this, as long as the Gypsies had removed the bodies.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We shuffled down the stairs, a group of people gathered at the landing. We navigated through the loose crowd, but they clearly were unsettled by the footfalls coming from something invisible around them. We moved out the side door and proceeded to make our way back to the car.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The bodies were gone, including that of the lost Gypsy. Still, there was blood everywhere. Lights from the police cars were reflecting high on the walls of the church, now. We moved toward a foot bridge which looped around and down to the car.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We’re going to have a car with everyone invisible inside of it?” Blanka asked.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“If you can only do that once, just hold it,” I responded, “Hold on until we get back to our rooms.” </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka sighed. She looked uncomfortable. She was starting to break a sweat from holding her hands above her head.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We moved around the dark streets on our way to the hotel. Bjorn made excellent time. We quickly unloaded and moved through the door, surprisingly, no one was watching as the doors swung open and closed on their own.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We moved to the adjoining hotel rooms. Blanka dropped her spell, sweat clearly standing out on her forehead. She looked exasperated at me as the others moved to the rooms. She opened her mouth, in what I recognized as an attempt to complain, but I spoke first.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You did good. No. You did </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">great</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.” I shook my head as I spoke, “You saved my life. Cornel can also thank you for the same. You went above and beyond </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">every </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">step of the way. Thank you.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She furrowed her brow, almost saying something. She had a far-away look in her eyes, perhaps not knowing how to respond or not feeling like she could accept it. Her shoulders slumped a little and she walked away.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’m taking a shower.” She said with a wave without looking back.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn dropped Cornel into the bed, and he immediately began to snore. I looked him over again, he was stable with fresh bandages covering his wounds. I wasn’t sure what that creature had slipped him, but it seemed to take him out of action only for that moment.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I spoke with Bjorn.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We need to find more about Aaron. After word spreads around tonight, he’ll disappear forever. He’s part of this, I just don’t understand how. Maybe there was some truth to what our Skeller friend said?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn gave a satisfied, but subtle, grin when I used his word.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“So, what are ya sayin’?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s going to be an early morning.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn sighed.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What time for my wake up call?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He said it more like an exasperated statement. I looked at my watch. It was just past midnight.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“How does seven sound? I need to make some calls and do a little more research before I really know what to do next.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I sorted through the pile of things we pulled from the Cardinal’s office. I spread them out on the bed and looked for anything that might give us a lead. It was an odd assortment of books, trinkets, weapons. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The knife? I’m taking it. It looked ceremonial.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka was bundled in a towel with another towel wrapped up in her hair. She was still steaming from the shower.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You and knives,” I chuckled, “Why did you take it again?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh, there’s something to it. I definitely want to study it more.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Sure, sure,” I said, “And the necklace? What was that all about?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t know, but I’m not going to touch it. He wanted us to touch it and was very angry when we didn’t. I take that as a sign it wouldn’t be good for us.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Was this all of the books from the room? That’s the ledger, correct?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The accounting ledger, yes. But there is more in there, a whole section of inserted papers that seemed like a journal.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I brightened at that and grabbed it.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I take it you need the room?” I asked.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No, I can change in the bathroom, but I’m going to bed. You need to clear all this off.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Of course, m’lady. I’ll get right on that.” I smiled.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She sighed and turned around with a bundle of night clothes in her arms. I busied myself with clearing the bed. I called the front desk and set up my wake up call before I got to work. I took the ledger with the journal and sat at the table with the lamp on, reviewing the details.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Simply, Aaron Paul had shown up uninvited by our friend. He saw the discrepancies in the books, and, in turn, held it over him. They were partners in crime, but Aaron’s emergence put the Cardinal at considerable risk. The Imposter had many, many complaints, yet he could never seem to get enough leverage on Aaron to trace him down. Even the bodyguards seemed to be helping Aaron, which infuriated the creature. It was clear that he had hired Leon Webber because of his emphasis on brutality. Leon had made sure that everyone he brought on board was as brutal and dangerous as they could be.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, Bjorn ate Leon’s heart. Highly appropriate for what he did to Cornel alone, much less the many others who had crossed his path.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I rubbed at the top of my head. The swelling was enormous and it was tender to the touch. I swear the bodyguard had cracked my skull with that hit. I moved my head down to my chest and gently tapped each bandaged wound. At least I had stopped bleeding. Just earlier, I had been at death’s door with one foot through. I couldn’t imagine what would have happened if Blanka hadn’t acted as quickly as she did.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His reason to incite against the Kalderari was because they figured out that he was a Charlatan, as Vadim said. And he wanted to push them out of the picture so he could run the town himself.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All of this was set up over the course of six months. It was impressive, and terrifying.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another interesting thing, the Imposter alluded to the ability to read people’s thoughts and emotions very well. He used it to give people exactly what they needed. He could never read Aaron’s mind, though. This infuriated him. Aaron met directly with the Imposter in very strict circumstances and for limited periods of time. It was likely that Aaron had a time limited ward in place that protected him from the creature.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Because of his precautions, the Imposter could never track where Aaron lived. Every time he sent someone to track where Aaron lived, the trail would go cold. Bodyguards were likely being manipulated by Aaron, so he would always slip through his fingers. All of this added up to the understanding that it was going to be very difficult to find this person of interest in just a single morning.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka had slipped into bed and fallen asleep without a word while I was busy. She was lightly snoring, already in a deep sleep. It had been a long day and tomorrow could prove to be the same if we didn’t do this just right.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I needed just a little more information before I could bed down for the night. Another trip to the hotel lobby and I cordoned myself off in the phone booth, papers in hand, a small notebook, and a freshly cut pencil.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Surprisingly, after a brief conversation with the staff monitoring the phone, SAC Bess picked up the phone. You, yourself; even with it being well into the morning hours. It says a lot. I appreciate your attention in these matters. This is when I spoke to you about Aaron Paul. You provided the most recent address you had and gave me details on his comings and goings. I explained our situation, briefly. Leaving out many of the details, but all of that would come in time.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once I exited the phonebooth, I told the desk the time of my wake up call and they looked somewhat bemusedly at the noisily clicking mechanical clock on the wall. It was only a couple of hours away.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Upon returning to the room, I grabbed a blanket from the closet, clicked off the reading lights, and bundled up on the couch.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Morning came quickly, the phone rang loudly and I bolted upright, feeling my head had only just hit the pillow. There was grumbling coming from the bed as Blanka stirred. I moved to the bathroom and splashed some hot water on my face. I belted on my Toro and performed a quick maintenance check. I listened at the door to the adjoining room, I could hear that Bjorn was awake and hustling.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We met downstairs with the sun just barely rising through the valley.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I explained to Bjorn that I had gotten an address for Aaron. We moved to the car and Bjorn speedily cut through the city streets to a bungalow closer to the edge of town.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn made no assumptions.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We go in. Hard and fast. Maybe catch him with his pants down.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">True to his word, upon arriving we jumped from the Taxi. Bjorn pounded through the front door while I slipped through the back. There was a gruff exchange and some silverware slipped from a stunned person’s hands. Bjorn stomped up the stairs and I waited with my Toro drawn, watching for anyone planning to bolt. I could hear Bjorn exchanging words with a female voice upstairs. Shortly after, he pounded down and pushed through the front door.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I slipped out the back and jogged over to the car as he took his seat.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“She’s renting from Aaron Paul. She mails her payments here.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn held out a piece of paper. I looked it over and recognized that the Post Office box was merely a stone’s throw from the hotel entrance. I looked at him and he nodded. He rammed the stick into reverse and sent rocks flying forward as he peeled out of the driveway.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The sky was a quiet pink when we returned to the hotel. Foot traffic was extremely sparse with a few of the fishing boats pulling out into the water. A quick reconnaissance of the area showed that the doors were locked and the Post Office wasn’t to open until some time later, closer to 0900. Bjorn offered to stay and I walked back to the hotel.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I checked in on the rest of the team. Blanka had her head sandwiched between two pillows. Cornel was wide awake, but unmoving on the bed. He had a deeply pained expression on his face.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Are you going to be able to move? We might have a bead on Aaron.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He sat completely still and his expression didn’t change, but his eyes rolled toward me.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I am very sorry,” I said, “I truly am. We’re just so close to wrapping this up.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’ll be ready, boss.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He rolled to his side with a grunt and began busying himself with getting ready.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I went through the door to the other hotel room and tugged on Blanka’s foot through the blanket.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We need to be ready to move.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This elicited a groan from Blanka.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We think Aaron’s going to be at the post office off of the docks. If we don’t get him now, we may never get to him again.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She removed the top pillow. It didn’t appear she had slept all that well.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I need time. An hour and I should be ready.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I ticked it off in my head. That was just before the Post Office opened.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That’s fine. I’ll leave you to it.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She sat up and the tangle of red hair danced around her as she started her routine.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had an hour, and with Bjorn’s close watch and everyone roused, I felt the need for a hearty breakfast. I had been running too fast and needed a moment. It’s what you do when you’re healing, after all. I had been wincing and favoring with every movement. Last night seemed very, very long ago. Yet, I was well aware of all of its implications and consequences with each painful breath.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While I waited for the meal to be served, I reviewed the newspapers. There was no word of the goings on up at the church. Anything like that would have to be spread by word of mouth after the fact.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After a thick-sliced ham, soft-boiled egg, with a warmed croissant, I felt more myself. I washed down the ensemble with a double espresso that kicked like a mule. I had them fill a second mug with coffee from the counter and teetered outside to where Bjorn was waiting in the car. It was almost as if he could smell the eddies of ham still wafting off of me. He gave me the stink eye and I countered with the mug of coffee.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I hope de others are getting on well,” Bjorn said, “Are they all eating breakfast, too?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No. Just me.” I smiled, “At least I brought you a coffee.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“If it makes ya feel better.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh, it does.” I said, letting myself into the passenger seat, “Anything yet?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn shook his head.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“There has been no word of what happened up at the church in the papers. We might still have the element of surprise.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Sure, sure. You seemed ta handle the element of surprise well last night.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I sighed.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I panicked and then acted hastily.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You’re lucky ta be alive.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Believe me, I know.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The movement on the street was starting to pick up. I glanced at my watch: 0840.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’ll hurry and get the others. They should be ready by now.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn nodded. I exited the vehicle and glanced back and saw him exit. He took position at an angle to the backside of the building. We were going to need eyes in place at the front, immediately. Plus, I had an idea that I wanted to run past Blanka before we set the trap.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I jogged across the parking lot and moved up to our rooms. The door was open between them. Blanka was ready, reading and reviewing from a well worn book. Cornel was looking lean and mean, but only when he stood still. When he walked, he winced with each step.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I probably looked much the same, but the rush of the situation had pushed the pain far into the background.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We need to go. Now.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka flopped her softbound book closed and Cornel moved in from the adjoining room with a grimace.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I spoke with Blanka on the way to the Post Office.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Is it possible to put an invisible mark on a letter? Something that you could sense or follow?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her face went through a mix of expressions.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Like a sigil? A magic mark?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes. Exactly that. Something you could track if he were to pull it from his post office box.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I can do that,” she said, nodding.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We can send a message and track it.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That could work.” She said, her eyebrows raised briefly as she followed the thought through.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cornel brought up the rear. I flagged him to a far angle on the Post Office. I saw Bjorn near the back. A little girl was reading a book out loud to him and he looked a tad pale with the exchange. The woman left with some urgency, drawing the smiling girl away from him. He quietly took a nip from his flask.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I turned to Blanka.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“If you want to stay inside the Post Office, we’ll keep an eye on the front and back doors. When he walks out with the letter, give us a sign and we’ll take him in.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She smiled slyly and nodded.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The sign flipped in the window and she flipped her red hair as she entered.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I saw her through the window, pulling a paper from the book she carried with her and she set to work. I moved to an angle opposite Cornel’s position at the Post Office.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now we wait.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The ferry moved into the docks. A bell rang as it slid into place and the gangway was pulled. As the ferry disgorged its passengers, I felt uneasy. I had eyes on Cornel and Bjorn, but I couldn’t see Blanka. People were moving to the ticket stand, purchasing tickets as the ferry’s conductor called out the times.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I saw Cornel shift, his head bobbed back and forth and he moved to the door of the Post Office. His eyes were wide as he turned my direction.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“She’s not there!”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Panic.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I flagged Bjorn and moved toward him.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Blanka isn’t in the Post Office. Did you see her leave?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He shook his hulking head, concern shrouding his face.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I cursed and locked eyes with Cornel then gestured to him to keep an eye out further down the boardwalk. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The ferry had filled the docks with commuters. The conductor gave a five minute warning.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I ran into the Post Office, a handful of people milled around the entrance. I started asking around.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Red headed girl. About this tall. Might have been with a man?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A few of them shook their heads but a younger couple said they saw her and she moved out the front.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That put us right into line of sight of our position. How could she have slipped by? I was frantic. I saw the ferry ticket booth and my skin crawled. I looked over and saw Bjorn looking at the ferry which was just about to depart. I moved up to the booth.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Did a red headed girl buy a ticket? She might have been with a man?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The young woman shrugged, but the man who stood behind her nodded affirmatively. His look was unmistakable. It was a good thing that Blanka was attractive because she had made quite the impression.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I shoved money under the window and the woman let out an annoyed squawk.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Two tickets,” I said.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then, remembering my manners.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Please.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I waved off the change as she was counting and bolted toward the ferry. I handed a ticket to Bjorn and we boarded. I turned and caught sight of Cornel whose shoulders slumped as the gangplank was removed. I shrugged and motioned to keep an eye out still. This was a risky move, but this would have been a perfect mode of escape. But only if we hadn’t considered the ferry.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn and I separated, but kept eyes on each other as we moved through. His stature was unmistakable, so it was easy to keep him in my periphery.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I glanced through the passengers, I played out Aaron’s description in my head: smallish, round spectacles, dark hair, dark eyes, distinguished. The throngs of people on board the ferry made this a difficult scene to process. And I shook my head as I thought of the many guises that Blanka could shift into.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How had she fallen under his spell? Was he really this powerful? I chased the thoughts away with a renewed focus on duty.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Benches, looking for a man and a woman together. My eyes felt slippery, like they were missing something every time I moved by. I moved to the upper deck and met up with Bjorn, tracing my eyes along people leaning along the railings.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We have to figure this out before the next stop. They’re here. I swear I can feel it.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn nodded. He also seemed to be struggling with focus.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I swear I saw dem, too.” He pawed at his beard as he spoke.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t know what I’ve seen and what I haven’t.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We kept walking, always staying on the move. I saw a man and a woman and approached to engage in conversation, but then felt it wasn’t right. I was getting turned around and the frustration was building. Each time it was someone new. I thought I remembered a couple at the back of the boat, but then remembered it wrong when I came up to the scene.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I pressed on, meeting Bjorn back on the top deck again. We sat next to each other wordlessly, combing the patrons. I was getting a headache from gritting my teeth.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I looked down onto the ferry deck as something caught my eye. I pointed out a figure to Bjorn. The bespeckled man with a dark hat pulled out a silver harmonica and started to play. The crowd started to move subtly at first, but then there was head bobbing and foot stopping at the cheerful diddy. I smiled at Bjorn, my head bobbing.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We should relax.” I said through a grin, “How about I buy you a drink. There’s a covered bar on the back of the ferry.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn nodded at the suggestion, his face still stony, but a slight smile tugged at his eyes.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“If yer buyin’ I won’t turn it down.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We moved into the covered area near the rear of the ferry. I handed the bartender the Lyra for a couple of bottles of beer. The tune was distant now, but I still felt good, at ease. I could see the other shore coming closer. We’d be landing soon.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mid-sip I realized that the shore was coming and we still hadn’t found Blanka. I slammed the bottle on the counter and it began to foam over. The bartender cursed, acting quickly to resolve the foaming mess.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Bjorn. Are you with me?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He blinked at me, and seemed surprised to find a beer in his hand. He quickly downed it and put it on the counter. The melody had slipped away and the haze pulled back from my eyes.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I twirled my finger in the air and we both set off to find our prey again with a renewed ferocity. If we kept the pressure on, he was bound to slip up sometime, but time was very short. We separated, moving all along the lower decks and back up top. The ferry settled against the threshold and the gangplank was extended. The five minute bell had rung as soon as we made landfall, this stop was shorter than the one at Neuchatel. People began to exit at a commuter’s pace.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Damnit!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I looked toward the shore, it appeared that a redhead had already exited and was walking away from us. Her face was obscured and there was no way to be absolutely sure.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You see her, too, right?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes, I do. Is it her?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I haven’t seen a redhead on this boat for the entire trip. I just wanted to make sure you could see her.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You get her. I’ll stay here.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I nodded at Bjorn’s suggestion and moved down to the main deck and bolted across the gangplank as they were getting ready to retrieve it.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was Blanka.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh, Bani! It’s good to see you!” Her eyes were misty, their usual clarity was clouded over.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I gave her a hug and she chuckled a little against my chest.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I looked back to the ferry and saw Bjorn’s imposing figure on the top deck. I held my hand with a thumbs up. I could sense more than see his nod in response.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Blanka. I thought we lost you.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Silly. Lost?” A leering grin creeping across her face.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I put both hands on either side of her face and looked her in the eye.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Blanka! Wake up!” I shouted.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her head lolled for a moment, and she began to shake. Her eyes closed tightly and her shoulders hunched as she fought off Aaron’s influence. It was like watching someone swim to the surface of a lake. As she emerged, she gulped at the air for a moment. The polished venir she wore was cracked and a rawness came through: fury, sadness, defeat. She shivered for a moment and her eyes welled briefly, but a tear didn’t fall.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You’re safe now. We’ve got you.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I pulled her into an embrace while I watched the ferry move away, starting its trek to the next destination. I silently wished Bjorn good luck.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka was quiet. I took her hand and we moved toward the line of cabs that sat just off of the dock. There was a deep thrumming sound and I looked up at the ferry, quickly enough to see a patch of water rise up briefly next to the boat.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That can’t be good. We need to get to the next destination. We’ll corner Aaron there.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I hired a cab and we started down the road to the next destination. I saw that the Ferry had stopped, the wakes had drifted away while no new ones formed. I could see someone splashing quickly through the water, then noticed a smaller, sleeker figure in front of…</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The bear.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Stop the cab! Here, pull over here.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After a quick trashing of water, the bear caught up to the man and there was a torrent of bubbles and a rising red stain that began to spread on the surface of the water.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Wait here.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I tossed a handful of Lyra toward the man as we exited the vehicle. As soon as the door shut, he goosed the engine and took off.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I made an obscene gesture at the man cabbie as the dust cloud closed in.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka looked to make a comment, but held her tongue.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We need to get to the shoreline.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Where the blood had spread, no more bubbles rose. I was concerned because it had nearly been two minutes since I’d seen movement. The Ferry started to chug along, but there were people lining the rails looking down into the water nearly two hundred meters from the side of the boat. They likely couldn’t see what I was seeing.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A form surfaced with a pronounced snout. The creature thrashing in the water slowly smoothed out and the now human form of Bjorn emerged on the rocky shore. It was quiet except for the fast, deep breaths of Bjorn and the chugging of the ferry’s engines.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You got him?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No more Aaron Paul. No more of dat slippery, mind-altering bastard.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He huffed with that sentiment. Blanka and I crouched near him, she put a hand to his shoulder as he caught his breath, but didn’t say a word.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You wouldn’t have, say, gotten a wallet or any identification off of him, would you?” I asked.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn gave me a scornful look. This was when I realized that the blood that lined his teeth wasn’t his own. I kept my mouth shut.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I moved back up to the road to see if I could flag down a ride and avoid the two kilometer walk back to where we came from. Blanka and Bjorn had a quiet conversation. I could tell she was thanking him.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We were already back to the docks when a siren buzzed past us. The scene was starting to unfold and we had caused enough trouble in Neuchatel that it needed a rest from us. We hired a cab who looked incredulous as we explained that we needed to get to the other side of the lake. He pointed to where the ferry docked, but flashing a bundle of Lyra made him shrug and nod as we piled into the vehicle. Blanka sat in front and Bjorn and I were in back.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It took some time for Cornel to make his way back to the hotel. He was bleary eyed and sore. The last couple days had nearly killed him and he was far from on the mend. I recognized that ache in him because I felt it myself. The adrenaline I had been riding on since we had arrived had been ebbing away, revealing the layers of trauma it had been keeping at bay.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Report Conclusion:</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We had accomplished the mission. Revealed the charlatan doppelganger, dragged his mind-bending puppetmaster to the bottom of the lake, while also discovering the true nature of the Kalderari and making a tentative alliance.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don’t necessarily feel resolved. Much of this was sloppy and some of my decisions put us at great risk. We survived by the skin of our teeth. But we </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">did</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> survive. This was only possible through every member’s contribution. I am honored to be serving with them. Not since the war, actually, even during the war, I never felt this level of camaraderie with my fellows. I am privileged that they look to me as a leader.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn begs to be on the front line. And I’ll let him. His fierceness drives us forward. I’ve never met a more capable man to have with me.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka sharpens her focus under pressure. Her friendships come first and those who threaten them should brace for her wrath.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cornel is still finding his place. This mission was not as forgiving for his more subtle arts. He was dealt a difficult hand and will likely need some time to recover.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As for me? Keep me busy. I don’t want to sit still long enough that I start thinking too much.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435808207395330499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526285455094698909.post-43887445712924769192020-06-07T13:34:00.003-07:002020-06-15T10:10:23.087-07:00Report - Operation Monsignor Wolf - Part 2<span id="docs-internal-guid-3f321571-7fff-ed2c-040d-2e2f1e42c991"><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 20pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 20pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mission Debrief:</span></h1><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Expenses: 48 Lyra</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Addendum:</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Continuing from previous reporting.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When we adjourned to our bedrooms, it was early evening, the sun had just set and darkness settled over Neuchatel. Bjorn was sharing a room with Cornel, simply because it was too much effort to try and get one set up for him.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I made a call to Nachtrichter and reported in, but also gathered information on the persons of interest. Thank you for the research that you had already done and the momentary information that you had gathered on remaining elements.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I left to find Bridgette. I wanted to make sure that she understood what transpired, in some fashion or another. I also wanted to warn her. If there was treachery afoot, I wanted to make sure that she was safe. Especially if the Augury possessed ability to reveal if the Cardinal was the predator that she and Vadim had alluded to.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She wasn’t home, safely sequestered in the hills above the town performing her duty as the attendant to the Augury.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On the return to the proximity of the hotel, there was a pair of gentlemen moving along the docks. Their stride was purposeful and they tended to pull people into conversation as they came close enough. I felt a twinge. They were likely looking for us.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka was sitting in the dining area when I returned. She explained that Cornel and Bjorn disappeared into a cab with the intent of going back to Habsburg Castle. The intention was to tend to Bjorn’s wounds, and make sure that he didn’t have more to worry about from the close encounter with the werewolf. It would be a long trip, but he would receive the best care there without question.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka has been a dependable extension to the mission. I’ve been relying on her. She has reminded me that I never did well in social settings. To her, it is second nature and I draw on her experience in these situations.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another pair of detectives moved into the hotel proper.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We might need to make this more subtle.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I nodded to her and tapped my head while looking at her hair. I hadn’t seen another match for her shimmering red hair in this population. If they knew to look for a redhead, she’d be obvious.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She understood, gave me a knowing smile, then walked off. I waited at some of the tables until a dark haired woman, wearing the most modern fashions, hair cut in a short in back, angled to longer in front parted in the middle. She was absolutely stunning. I felt a shiver as she looked at me and beckoned me over. Upon my skeptical approach, Blanka’s voice came out.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“How’s this?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I gulped and clenched my teeth.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Terrifying.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She held her arm out and I looped through, bringing her to a set of tables on the patio. Across the way, I could hear the revelry of music and the peal of a violin come from across the water. The closer sounds of clinking of glasses and murmurs of conversations while sitting in the cool night air was intoxicating.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I could get used to this.” I said.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh. You do.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She smiled simply, but the comment reminded me of her upbringing. There was an anguish to her privilege.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I changed the discussion focusing back on the mission. I laid out my thoughts and asked for her input. In interacting with this adult persona, all the pretense of speaking with a youth flitted out of my mind. I started to try speaking in code, but shortly into the conversation, the confused looking woman reached out a hand and patted my arm.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“This isn’t working.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes? Fine, I’ll speak plainly.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I connected Leon, Aaron, and the Cardinal all together. We had a chance where we could get into the inner circle and get eyes on all of the players.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You could make a donation. Wealthy people do it all the time to remedy some social sleight or to resolve their conscience. Sometimes to raise their standing in the church or with their peers. It’s a benefit of privilege. You did something that’s nagging at you? Donate to the church. Maybe you’ll get a brick with your name on it laid in the courtyard?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her disdain was palpable.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’ve still got 500 Lyra on me.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh, you’ll need more than that if you want to </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">purchase</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> a visit with the Cardinal.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka is incredibly aware of how money works. How it affects people. How money can be wielded as both a tool and a weapon. We devised a plan then and there to gain an audience. It was some time later that she grimaced and stood up and left. When she returned, she wore her normal self.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Mom went to bed. I’m going to bed, too.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I smiled at her and nodded. Then ordered another drink. I played through the scenario in my head.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If this didn’t work? Well, here’s to hoping I wouldn’t have to worry about that.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I rose my glass to fate. It’s something I wouldn’t have done just the day before. All the goings on with Bjorn and his musings of animal sacrifices and massive crows. I like the idea of fate. What comes, will come. There’s no avoiding it. If I were building my own pantheon, Fate would be the central figure.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next morning came quickly. The ringing from the wake up call kick-started the gears in my head, setting the day in motion. I moved through my weapons, checking chambers and barrels, rubbing down my Henry rifle, then giving the Toro a quick inspection. I pushed the release and dropped the cylinder, emptying the bullets on the bed, and then inspecting each bullet as I slotted them in. I wasn’t going to need them just yet. It was the ritual itself that put me at ease.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I adjourned downstairs and saw Blanka sitting in the lobby, not in the restaurant where I would have expected. I nodded to her.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Have you heard from the others?” She asked.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I turned to the desk and asked if there were any messages for me, giving the clerk my name.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No, nothing, sir.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I shrugged.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I guess they’re dead. Want to get breakfast? Mimosas? We’ll make a toast in their names.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Don’t joke! What if something bad happened?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I chuckled to myself. Something bad </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">did</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> happen. I had no doubt that Bjorn was doing better now, considering the encounter last night. Still, Blanka was inordinately shocked.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Are you hungry or not?” I said with mock impatience as I turned into the dining area.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We settled into the morning routine. I read yesterday’s and today's papers, seeing some interesting stories. A jewelry heist, tensions in Clovia, and a picture of new fashions. The fashions were called out as Icenian. It looked uncomfortably odd, showing a lot more leg than I was used to.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I pointed them out to Blanka, with a chuckle, then I realized my mistake.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh, that looks fun!”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She studied it briefly and slipped away. On her return, she slunk in with these incredibly short shorts sporting a fuller body and rounder face with a dark lacquered curl hanging between her chestnut brows. The fashion had this oddly full top which seemed meant to to counterbalance the abundance of leg. Fashion was always so strange to me. And, apparently, I was with a new random woman every day.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was ridiculous. It took everything to keep myself from laughing out loud. It had moved from feeling uncomfortable to being downright ludicrous.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If it doesn’t affect the mission, it’s entirely permissible. Right?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We chatted back and forth, with her getting long glances from around the dining area. She soaked them in, but continued her engagement with me. There were also a handful of women mingled in the dining room whose eyes were focused on </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">me</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. I could </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">feel </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">their anger. I avoided eye contact with their collective glares, maintaining my focus on Blanka’s slightly cherubic form ahead of me as we talked.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I explained what I had worked out as my plan.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I can’t lie to save my life. However, I don’t expect that my need for relief from guilt will be far from the truth.” I grimaced at the admission.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka’s persona furrowed a delicate brow.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It better be convincing. What do you have in mind?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Like we discussed yesterday. I am there to buy solace. I need you along with me, though.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Go on?” She fluttered her eyes.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I deflated slightly and glared at her. She rolled her eyes and continued.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Fine. What do you consider unattractive?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Skinny and sharp.” I said, perhaps too quickly.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She played it through in her head a few times, with her persona’s dark eyes rolling through various expressions as she conceived of the perfect guise.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I didn’t doubt she’d know exactly what to do.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was just afternoon that we planned to walk to the church. There was no sign of Bjorn and Cornel, even as the sun hit its apex. Blanka had returned to her normal self for the walk. She seemed concerned.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Perhaps we should leave a message?” Blanka asked.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh. No. Let’s leave them in suspense.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She furrowed her brow disapprovingly.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I reacted to her disdain. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Really? When did an abundance of communication matter to you? You just like Bjorn.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She shook her head, with a sigh.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I can’t believe you sacrificed that pig without me.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We arrived at the cafe that sat just below the church proper. She busied herself at a table and we ordered a light breakfast.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’m going to take a quick walk.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka nodded and pulled a book from her satchel.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I moved up to the church grounds and perused the area briefly. I needed to give myself some space from Blanka to collect my thoughts. The feelings I was dredging up for this moment were true and deep. I found myself reliving a past I had long since left behind.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The church grounds were peaceful. Footsteps echoed across the stone inlaid courtyard. A statue for the Augury stood some distance from the front doors of the church. A shiver went up my spine as I spied three wolves off to the side lingering under the trees. It took a brief moment to realize they were statues. It was strangely fitting for the situation at hand.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I returned to Blanka. She looked up from her book and I tilted my head toward the church. She nodded.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’ll be a moment.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She collected her things and disappeared into the washroom in the cafe. I looked down, seeing a full plate, but stirred and scooted around into a convoluted mess. I couldn’t imagine how she wasn’t starving.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A woman emerged from the cafe. She looked like a rail with pointy shoulders and pointy elbows. Her gaunt face was severe as she leaned back on her heels and gave me a daunting look.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Hello, my name is Veronika.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her lips parted and she winked. It was Blanka. I shook my head.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What do you think?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She was trying on a different voice, more Almanian, but didn’t quite pull it off. Her walk was still Blanka’s, too, but with this form, it looked like a practiced approach at trying to present herself as something she was most definitely not.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Spot on. Unattractive to a ‘T’. I will never look at you the same way again”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A smile rippled across the thin lips. It didn’t look at all natural on that face. Then the smile quickly disappeared.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Wait. Do you mean that?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Maybe.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We moved into the courtyard and saw that there were two points of entry into the church. The front doors that overlooked the statue of the Augury. There was also a side door that I hadn’t noticed earlier. A small meditation garden with a solitary sheep standing near the back. I glanced behind me and saw the wolves off in the distance.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Interesting,” I mused to myself.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We approached the back door and I knocked. After a moment a young, balding clerk came to the door and looked at us with a surprisingly genuine smile. He asked how he could help us and lit up as I explained my situation. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Some time ago I married a woman that I loved dearly. Her family fell on hard times and it broke us apart. I still think on her. I wish her well, but I still feel that I need to make amends. I would like to make a donation in her family’s name.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka’s accountant facade, Veronika, chimed in, sounding severe, almost angry.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I am Bani Elkind’s accountant. I will make the arrangements for payment.” She paused, waiting for a reaction.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It took a moment, but apparently he recognized my name.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had no idea how much social capital I’d established with my travelogues. I poured my heart and soul into them, absolutely. It was a personal journey as much as it was anything else. It made me wonder if I should start it up again? If I have the chance to retire, that is.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The cleric opened his doors and brought us inside. I did a lot of hand wringing and pensive stares.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The thing is, it was a short distance to drop for me. Cassandra was the love of my life. Those feelings are still there, even though we went awry along the way. My heart hurt thinking about it and emotion quickly rose to the surface.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I, however, had never used it like this.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As we moved in, I saw a man walk from behind us, he dipped his fingers into a small round font and genuflected, then moved out toward the garden. A slight smell of distinguished cologne clung to him. I immediately recognized him as Aaron Paul from his description, one of the others caught in this web, either as a spider or as a fly.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Veronika stood over a ledger with the cleric. He was flipping through pages and Blanka was reading his face. As she perused the numbers. She glanced at me and pointed to a donation figure that I couldn’t read from where I stood. I could see the man’s pulse quicken in his temple, beads of sweat immediately formed on his bare crown.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He started bringing out paperwork, seeming short of breath. Blanka scrutinized and signed the document. She was terribly good at this.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Would you like a visit with the Cardinal? Your need is great and he can provide a direct blessing to you.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I nodded, grimacing with eyes brimming.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You will have to stay here.” The cleric said to Blanka who blinked suddenly.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No. She must stay with me. She’s involved in all of my affairs.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He looked concerned then shrugged it off.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That is fine. We will make arrangements.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He turned away and proceeded down the hall. I saw Blanka’s head tilt with a smirk.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of your affairs?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Hush.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We caught up, following him up a winding staircase. A knock on an ornate door and some shuffling and the door creaked open. The Cardinal was in the room alone, though there was a lingering smell of Aaron Paul’s cologne. He had been here recently.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The room itself was well lit, with windows looking down into the Castle walls and courtyard that surrounded the church. I remembered that these were the same spires I saw on my way to collect Monica Granger from Clovia.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He spoke at length with platitudes and examples of religious history where people sought solace in the church and were healed of those pains that you can’t plainly see.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I held the anxiety and sadness in my heart while he did. It felt like a shield as the words rolled out of him. He looked normal enough, but thoughts of Bjorn’s </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Skeller</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> kept any assumptions at bay. There was ritual and ceremony, but I felt nothing from the proceedings. Words alone were supposed to have helped and, testing the tenderness of my heart; they didn’t.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sure, the pretense was false, but it is very clear to me that I have some processing to do on the life, and love, that I had left behind.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After a while of speaking Cardinal Rolland, I felt like I was listening to a well-rehearsed process that, frankly, I was starting to tire of it. I decided to press in with a request.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Cardinal, there is something I would like for you to do for me. One thing that Cassandra saw in this town was the amazing sense of community. These people all lived together with the intent of raising each other up. Even those on the outskirts were welcomed as friends and family.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I reached deep, weaving this together was the only way I could get a reaction from him.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I want a portion of my donation to go toward that help. Lifting the needy, feeding the stranger, and drawing this community together. Can you make sure that happens?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I looked directly at him with those words.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was a flutter of his eyelids. For the briefest of moments, I saw a shift in his expression. A flattening, disdain, maybe a little disgust rising then quickly fading away.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He put words to it that brushed past the commitment. His brief expression spoke volumes and his intent felt disingenuous. This was not the Cardinal. I guarantee that Bridgette, if she were here, would have recognized that as well.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Cardinal settled back down completing his part of the task. I bowed deeply and thanked him. He called the cleric back in and we moved out into the hall. On the left, immediately outside of the Cardinal’s door was a man wearing a dark suit coat. It was well pressed, almost resembling a uniform. I felt a chill crawl up my spine. I recognized the threat immediately. It wasn’t just that he was expressionless, or that he was finely tuned for action. It was his eyes, deep, cold, and indifferent. I was glad I wasn’t meeting him in other circumstances.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka’s persona moved ahead of me, as we followed the cleric back to his office. Once we got there, he started putting papers in front of my loyal secretary. She reviewed the papers and began to sign where needed. She seemed to know exactly what to look for.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I decided to feign a weak moment, letting the feeling of distress and sadness take hold.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Veronika, I do not feel well. We will continue this tomorrow.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The cleric was caught off guard by the comment, his eyes darted between us. Blanka assured him of paperwork, giving him a card with contact information scratched on it.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We moved out into the courtyard with the solitary sheep standing in the small green area. We wound around the side of the church and made our way back down toward the hotel. Blanka found an isolated place and returned to her normal form. We talked as we walked the remainder of the way. Blanka was pensive.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That was unusual,” I started.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She nodded.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“While he’s got most of it down, there was a moment where I could see he was just playing a part.” I mused, then turned to her, “What did you see? You must have been able to perceive more?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I didn’t want to give myself away, but it was clear that there was a lot of magic at work in that room. I couldn’t reach too far as it would have drawn attention, but beyond some bright spots in his office, there was also another presence that seemed to be shrouded in illusion.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I thought about the smell of cologne, but didn’t bring it up. We might have been in a more precarious situation than I had previously thought.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After speaking with Blanka, I knew we had to take action against the Cardinal. And, sooner, rather than later.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We returned to the hotel and found Bjorn and Cornel waiting in the dining area. Both were keeping themselves occupied. Bjorn looked a hell of a lot better than he did last night.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Where were ya?” Bjorn gave me a perturbed look, “Ya didn’t leave a message.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Neither did you. I assumed you died and we had to go it alone.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He scoffed.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cornel sat off to the side, looking at the exchange between Bjorn and myself. He appeared oddly satisfied. He smiled easier and appeared to regard Bjorn with more respect, too. Their trip must have gone well.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We gathered closely around a table and began to share information on what we knew so far. Blanka had, at some point, procured a pack of cigarettes and offered them around the table.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was clear to me that the Cardinal wasn’t who he appeared to be. The man, Aaron Paul, was a regular visitor to the Church. There were bodyguards of an unknown quantity who lived within the church. They were likely very dangerous. Considering Vadim had lost one of his men--a </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">werewolf</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">--to them, said a lot.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka had started turning an odd color of green. I realized that she had been madly puffing through nearly all of the cigarettes she’d gotten her hands on. She’d slowed down and frowned as the sickness settled over her.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ah, another of life’s lessons.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I pitched the idea that we enlist Vadim’s help to assault the church and depose the Cardinal immediately. The longer we’re here, the more trouble will come of it. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ally with a band of werewolves? I found that Bjorn was surprisingly accepting of the idea. He still had a shotgun loaded with silver slugs. Perhaps that was all the assurance he needed? As it stood, everyone looked to me for the next step. This was the first time I could genuinely say that I was up for the task.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our visit to Vadim was met again with a cautious outreach. He ascended his makeshift throne again while the four of us settled into seats to have an audience with the Gypsy king. Bjorn still bore his shotgun over one shoulder. The open defiance was taken in stride, with a glance and a slight smile from Vadim.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He asked about Blanka’s green tinge, and I explained the pack of cigarettes. He made a motion to a young boy off to our left, and he quickly bounced up and disappeared among the carts and wagons. The gorgeous Gypsy woman was more prominent this time, she stood behind Vadim, not being timid about where she put her hands.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The boy returned shortly with a small vial and offered it to the pallid Blanka. There’s an antidote for everything, apparently.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We spoke about our meeting with the Cardinal. I explained to Vadim that I agreed with him; that the Cardinal was an imposter. That I would suggest a temporary alliance to depose him quickly and completely. Vadim smiled at the suggestion.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“A temporary alliance? Surely, we are better friends than that?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vadim prompted others to pass around some bottles. He offered a drink to me, poured from the same flash as his. The smell of spices and spirits rose from the glass.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Let’s resolve what we have in front of us now. If we are successful, I would heartily agree to a more permanent arrangement.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That’ll have to be enough for now. To our success!”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He raised his glass and tossed the drink down his throat. I sipped, taking a little more time with the bouquet of mulled spices rising above the sharp undertone of alcohol.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I explained the plan to Vadim. Just as the sun went down, I would approach--drunk and unruly--with my assistant, Veronika, trying to keep my temper at bay. I would gain access to the church with </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Veronika</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> while everyone else would wait in the courtyard as close in as we lured the bodyguards out. Then we would deal with the imposter Cardinal and his stooge, Aaron.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn and Cornel exchanged glances with the mention of Veronika, but didn’t didn’t say anything.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was a consensus on the plan with the Kalderari and another toast to success. We departed shortly after. Blanka looked considerably more healthy than before by the end of our meeting.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The church courtyard was empty in the late evening. Very few electric lights were in place here, so placing my Henry rifle in the bushes wasn’t an issue. Vadim’s men would linger in their forms with the wolf statues, which was more than fitting. I doubt we’d run into anything as timid as a lamb as our opposition in all of this, though.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn and Cornel parked down the road and started scaling the outer wall to get into the courtyard. I nodded to Blanka and she moved out of sight, taking on her Veronika form. This was getting to be extremely efficient. Blanka and I may have to settle on a series of persona’s that we could refer to by name.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once she re-appeared, I started with my ruse, using Bjorn’s own bottle of Norse Vodka. I liberally splashed alcohol on my clothes, to get a lovely ripening effect. I stumbled around, yelling: forlorn and heartsick. I banged on the side door, the same we had moved into before. Blanka’s concern seemed genuine as my state deteriorated. Maybe I had slipped a little too comfortably into this skin.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The cleric from earlier opened the door to the scene, he was bleary-eyed and disheveled.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Mr. Elkind? What…?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It didn’t work! I still don’t feel any better!” I yelled in his face, exhaling a misting of alcohol in the process, “Maybe… maybe, I can just give you the money now?” </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Veronika pleaded with me.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Please, Bani, leave the man alone! Let’s rest for the night and come back tomorrow.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No!” I shouted, “It happens tonight!”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The cleric’s head was spinning at this point, he waved us in and directed us to his office immediately.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I … I need to speak to the Cardinal. Please stay calm, Mr. Elkind.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He shuffled off, using the walls to guide him down the hallways without stumbling as he attempted to shake off his grogginess.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka looked at me wide-eyed.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“This was the plan?” Blanka hissed, looking at me from the rail thin, boney form of Veronika.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Kicking the hornet’s nest?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I slurred a little as I whispered, maybe all of this pretending to drink was too close to actually drinking?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Let’s just keep it up. We’ll get them outside and our friends can do the rest.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I waited, shouting occasionally, rattling the bottle on the desk. I saw a shadow move into the hallway and wondered who was listening in. Against my better judgment, I moved out into the hallway and was met with the dead eyes of one of the bodyguards.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Are you the cleric?” I said, slurring.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His eyes narrowed at me and I noticed there was a pistol in his hand. He raised it quickly and dropped the heel of it down on my crown. I immediately saw stars and felt blood flowing immediately from the wound.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I panicked.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Don’t shoot!” I pleaded.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then pulled my Toro and shot him point blank. The first struck true, the other impacted on the wall behind him. His aim dropped to me and he unloaded three rounds. I felt each bullet impact. My vision went red and I immediately began to gasp for breath. Blanka saw this from her position in the room, and used her abilities to confuse the man.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I opened the door and pushed him out into the courtyard, but before I could shut the door, he blinked off whatever was disorienting him and shot me just as the door was about to close. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Everything went black.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was on my back. Shadows danced above me showing against the stars. Everything hurt. A halo of dark red strands shimmering against the electric lights was hovering over me dragging me backwards. Blanka stopped to rattle off a few shots. I took a deep breath and things took shape again.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I could see shadows descending into the courtyard from around us. One of those faces was the gaunt Cornel and beside him Bjorn raised the shotgun to his shoulder, but thought better than firing. There were other shapes, hunched and wolf-like. I could see the straining clothes of the Gypsies among the sprouted fur.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Everyone’s kept their promise. Well, except me. This could have gone better.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka had used something on me to stabilize and then dragged me to safety while her spell was still affecting the man. At least, that’s what I could assume.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My holstered Henry rifle was handed to me as Bjorn and Cornel moved past to engage. I slung the holster, then took a prone position. I lined up a shot on the bodyguard that, I assumed, was the one who clocked me earlier. Revenge was all the solace I could muster. Cornel offered an arm and I moved up to the corner of the church. As the rest of the troupe closed on the garden, another bodyguard appeared from the doorway.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A few more shots rang out and then the two of them produced weighted and metal studded clubs and began to swing for maximum damage. One of the werewolves fell under a series of blows. I shuddered at the sound of its skull cracking as it released a brilliant red mist that bloomed under the electric lights.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I stumbled through the archway moving back into the sanctuary facing the door. Absolutely everything hurt. I could feel the pressure in my chest and my breathing was shallow and painful. A quick battle or a quick death; I almost felt like leveraging Bjorn’s Odin for this. At least it wasn’t Wednesday.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The guards were now toe to toe with ... I blinked to clear my eyes.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now, this is where things got strange. I understand that Bjorn is a yet unknown quantity. He had a righteous indignation toward those werewolves, but then… he assumed the form of a bear, roaring and thrashing. He eviscerated one of the body guards. I could see the panic in their movement as the weight of the creature bore down on them.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I dropped prone along the wall, and leveled some shots at the remaining guard. Blanka was stunned by what she was seeing, too. She moved to the wall and took a low profile. Cornel was shoulder to shoulder with the rest of the beasts, having drawn a weighted club as well.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Behind us a shot rang out. I saw Cornel drop his weapon as a red mist blew blossomed out the back of him. Another shot laid him low and he was on the ground with blood flowing quickly out of him. I turned and saw some shadows in the front courtyard where we had just come from. I saw both werewolves and the bear-formed Bjorn turn and sprint toward the shots, leaving behind the broken forms of what was left of the two bodyguards and the gypsy.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I moved immediately over to Cornel and checked his vitals. I lifted him and tried to reposition so that he wouldn’t choke on his own blood, but it threw him into a series of sputtering fits. I repositioned him again and it settled. He was barely alive.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka fell in by my side. I could see shock settle in over Blanka. I had to force myself to remember she was only sixteen.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t have the tools I need to stabilize him. Do you have anything that could help him?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She reacted by producing a trauma patch. I had used these in the war, results were mixed, especially since it depended on my own skill. I positioned it as best I could over the two holes in Cornel’s torso and pressed it into place. The flow of blood ebbed and I could see a weak pulse in the blood vessels at his temple. He was stabilized, but extremely fragile. Blanka was wide-eyed.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All along, I could hear shots along with furious bellowing and howls on the far side of the courtyard. I looked back just in time to see the bear leaning into the body on the ground, it’s ribs pointing skyward. The half-man, half-bear stood on its hind legs and chomped down a large morsel. I shuddered at the sight. The two other hunched dark shapes seemed to be warily stepping back from the bear.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Could you shut that door?” I said, speaking over my shoulder to Blanka.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka didn’t respond. I turned and saw shock on her face. I followed her gaze and saw the Cardinal standing at the corner of the hall in his nightclothes.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I glanced back into the courtyard and saw Bjorn returning to </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">mostly</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> normal. It was hard to tell with the thin illumination from the lights. I took a breath to shout back to them, but then I heard an almost timid voice coming from the hallway.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Are they dead? Oh, thank the Gods.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I narrowed my eyes. Then glanced at Blanka who also looked a little puzzled.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“They have been watching my every move. Threatening me. They work for a man named Aaron Paul.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He paused and looked at me and did a slight gasp.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You are very, very hurt. And your man here?” He pointed to Cornel, “Do you need help?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes. That would be appreciated.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Let me fetch my supplies.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I nodded. And, as soon as the Cardinal had permission, he turned and walked deeper into the hallway and I could hear him stepping up stairs. I looked wide eyed at Blanka, unsure of what just happened. Blanka was frozen in place.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Can you tell Bjorn and the others to clean up this mess. Take the bodies. We can’t leave any evidence.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka nodded quickly and broke free.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh, and tell Bjorn the Cardinal is here. The others should stay out of sight.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I holstered my Henry rifle into the sling on my back, then pulled my Toro from the holster and tucked it under the unconscious Cornel. Bjorn came over, half of his clothes in tatters.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Where is de Cardinal?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“He went around the corner and went up some stairs.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“And ya let him?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’m not feeling capable enough to pick a fight.” Then I gave him an incredulous look, “A bear?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What’s dat?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You give the stink eye to those werewolves and you turn into a god damned bear?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh, dere’s a difference. This is power granted by Odin. It’s not a curse.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I grimaced. It all looked the same to me.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’ll be back with de Cardinal.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn moved toward the door and the Cardinal just stepped around the corner with a shallow wooden box in his hands. Bjorn moved to the side and the Cardinal stepped out into the courtyard.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’m out of my complement for today, but these might help.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn moved in behind him and laid the Vindicator at the base of the Cardinal’s skull, prompting a moment of fury mixed with a moment of panic.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’m trying to help your people!”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t trust ya.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I took the box from his hands and he did not protest.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He explained that the chocolates had medicinal properties. It would help stabilize you while in the field, not much healing, but enough to sustain if you were critically wounded. Another was a small round vial filled with a thick blue liquid with the consistency of honey that had divine healing properties.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I took one of the chocolates and felt very little benefit. I drizzled the blue syrupy substance into Cornel’s mouth. His face immediately flushed, and his eyes popped open. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“... the hell?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He looked up, saw the Cardinal and then focused in on the rest of our faces.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn leaned into the shotgun a little, I could tell because the Cardinal responded immediately with a gasp.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You’re gonna answer me a question. Who are ya really?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Cardinal’s face darkened.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You come here to take from me. Who do you think you are?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Again, there was the other self peeking through. It made my skin crawl as he shifted his countenance from a kindly man to a sneering predator. I had seen it briefly before, but now it was raw, perfectly clear malevolence.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That doesn’t sound like the words of a man of de church.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I raised the gun I had secreted under Cornel and leveled it at the Cardinal. I could hear Blanka respond in kind behind me.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“My friend asked you a question. Who are you?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You come here, to my house and you try to take this away from me. Usurpers. You want this for yourself? You’ll ...”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He bit back the words as Bjorn pressed the barrel into the back of his skull again.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Let’s take him to his office,” I said, “Let the others clean up.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The police will be here any moment now. How are you going to explain yourselves?”, the Imposter hissed.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I can just pull da trigger and hollow out yer head like a canoe. Now move it.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Cardinal clenched his teeth and then followed Bjorn’s verbal instructions making his way into the church.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I waved to the wolfen forms in the courtyard and shut the door after we moved inside.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435808207395330499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526285455094698909.post-37787152911549316292020-06-05T11:02:00.001-07:002020-06-15T10:10:09.324-07:00Report - Operation Monsignor Wolf - Part 1<span id="docs-internal-guid-e1acb11b-7fff-6943-2b2e-b4d84bdb0939"><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 20pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 20pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mission Debrief:</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lead Operative: Bani Elkind</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Operative(s): Cornel Weiss, Blanka Bess</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Contractor: Bjorn Oleander</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Person(s) of Interest: Cardinal Rolland Vaunquelin, Bridget du Rivka, Aaron Paul, Lloyd Weber, Vadim Buckley</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Expenses: 135 Lyra (Receipts included)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Outcome: In Progress</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Summary:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Opposing factions in Neuchatel, both with intentions ranging from gray to black. Our objective is to understand, defuse, destroy, or undermine, as we see fit to resolve the situation to bring balance to the relationship. Two known casualties so far from this conflict.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Actions include: Investigation of the head of the Church in the area, a seat of power in the community. Parallel investigation of shapeshifter claims with links to Kalderari. Further investigation of additional figures as needed. Path to ideal resolution currently indeterminate.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Detail:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Right place, wrong time.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Neuchatel is beautiful. While I’ve been here from time to time, it always catches me off guard at how idyllic and calm this place is, especially with the flowering growth of springtime. Lush green forests and rolling fields with ancient low stone fences surround the area. The town is perched overlooking a lake that makes the Spring evenings perpetually cool, if not somewhat chilly. Ancient buildings dot the city, but even the more modern buildings are designed to seamlessly blend in with buildings far older.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is a significant population, mostly craftsman and service workers, as well as those committed to support the grand Vedician church.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Writing this calms me; puts things into perspective. My hands have stopped shaking so this will be more legible.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We came to Neuchatel to speak with a woman of the church as well as investigate some sightings of a shapeshifter--appearing as a man with a wolf’s head. Both incidents appeared to juxtapose each other. Since our appointment with the woman of the church wasn’t until the next day, we had some free time to follow up on leads. We started by stirring up some information around the sighting of a shapeshifter.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sifting through the rumors we encountered, it seems that the church has a campaign against the Kalderari, labeling them as dangerous. These rumors had a more insidious implication that they have ties to the shapeshifter sightings.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cornel was burned on his time with Blanka. I can’t say that either of them try to maintain a semblance of tolerating each other. It was a wonder that neither had inflicted unspeakable horrors on the other. Unfortunately, my money would have been on Blanka being the winner there.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I decided to see if we could get some information on the rumors. I brought Blanka along to provide some cover for the ruse. Although, I will frankly admit, having her call me Uncle Bani makes my skin crawl.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The ruse worked well enough.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her pining questions about visiting the Gypsy camps riled up one of the shopkeepers. He highlighted a touch more information about the campaign against the Kalderari, but the information was very thin consisting of rumors and hearsay. Still the finger was pointing at the Kalderari. This time, with a little more religious zeal. I took this as the town being overwrought with religious fervor, but it seemed limited to key individuals who had the insignia of the Vedician Church on their doorways.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was time to investigate the source of their ire. Blanka and I took a cab to the encampment that was just outside of town. On approach, it felt like an outdoor fair, a celebration of Spring. Music, festive colors, smells of spices and cooked meats, and nearly all of them with wide, white smiles. A various ensemble of carts, trailers, and just about anything that could be dragged behind the trucks and tractors that were organized on both sides of the camp.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was a sense to it. This reminded him of what I’d learned from researching and eventually visiting America. Pioneers used their wagons as a defensive perimeter. The low wall was a protective boundary, the vehicles were parked close enough to keep intruders from sneaking through.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Along with the smiles everywhere, there were eyes. Some squinted with a smile, others simply observing. The men dressed in drab, dark colors added to the scenery. Your eyes slipped over them, with their camouflage simply being less interesting than everything else. And with such bright, colorful spots to blind you, they were practically invisible.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This place could be extremely dangerous. Upon leaning in to explain this to Blanka, she’d already locked eyes with one of the younglings in the crowd. He came over with a swagger and started to exert his charms. He had no idea how far in over his head he was.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I asked to see their knives. Leaning more toward those that’d find more use in an alleyway than a kitchen. While she had the majority of the attention, I was able to keep an eye on the camp. People from outside flowed into this place, buying wares then walking off with bright packages, food, and drink. Many of those packages were the cutlery, pots, and pans. It was no wonder the craftsmen and metalworkers in town had so much negative to say about them. And their craftsmanship is good.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka’s interest in the knives and sly glances at the boy triggered a flush in both of them. His demeanor went more placid, less showman. She found a long folding blade, one that I had my own eye on, and the young man offered an obscenely low thirteen Lyra. I looked at Blanka, and realized what had played out.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unfortunately, so did the camp’s leader. He strode through with a smile. The only crack in the facade was his overacting.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Such beautiful red hair. She’s such a </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">charmer</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I knew we’d been made at that point. He put his arm around her. I tried to move to intervene, but was met by a deft performance of keepaway. He then introduced himself as Vadim Buckland. I didn’t feel we were in danger. Yet.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We joined him deeper in the camp. Not necessarily hostages, but, at least, able to speak without disturbing his thriving business. Back here, all he’d have to do is snap his fingers and we’d be surrounded. Blanka asked her questions, none of which I will repeat here. The instant rejection from both myself and Vadim, sent her to her feet and she stormed back out to the road.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While not necessarily a ruse, it still worked to give us a common ground, however simple, to build from. I asked Vadim about the word about town that we should fear his people. I avoided any obvious overtones, of course. He explained that when the rule of law flexes against him, he explained that they will bend as well, but he follows the laws of the land.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He mentioned the pressure from Cardinal Rolland Vaunquelin. That something had changed in the man to where he no longer had charity toward Calderari and actively slandered them.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After our short conversation, I thanked him for his explanation. Then, to turn to a lighter subject, I asked him for some pipe smoke, Sugar Sand. I was fond of the idea of getting a pipe and putting a smoking jacket to good use. He sent a boy away to fetch some. I smiled at the boy and followed his path and watched him open a door into one of the wagons. There were several people in the wagon, cooking over a standing fuel stove. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end. One of the standing figures had the head of what appeared to be an Alamanian Shepherd. I turned to face him, holding the smile on my face, looking into the flames in front of me. Vadim was talking to someone else when I faced forward and didn’t appear to notice my noticing.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My heart was racing.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The boy returned, I felt him brush past me. He handed Vadim the pouch. He packed a pipe and allowed me to sample the goods before I purchased. It had a rich nutty flavor laced with molasses. It coated my mouth and sweetened the air and took my mind away from the momentary panic.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“How much?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“20 Lyra.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Is this enough to cover the indiscretions of my companion?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We all tread a fine line. Some emerge with wisdom; others with scars.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He spoke through a smile. I returned the smile and nodded my farewell.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I followed the path that Blanka chose through the wagons. I stopped for a moment, out of sight from everyone, and took a deep cleansing breath. I exhaled, holding it, releasing the pent up energy of the moment, then continued the path out.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The cabbie we’d paid to return was either late, or I was early. Blanka was impatiently waiting. If the taxi arrived before I got there, I wasn’t quite sure if she’d have left me behind. I stayed silent on the way back to the hotel. Oh, and if it wasn’t obvious earlier, Blanka now owns a 12 centimeter folding blade with an elk bone handle. She got it for a steal.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was late afternoon when we arrived at the hotel. Cornel was occupied at the bar. When we arrived it was a surprise to see Bjorn leaning in a corner. He was supposed to be hundreds of kilometers from here.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“One of yers had an accident,” he said, “Dey called me back.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I nodded emphatically. Bjorn had already proven dependable. I introduced him to the others. He was concerned about Blanka’s age. Blanka was not concerned about his concern. Cornel and him exchanged a knowing look. I explained what I saw at the Kalderari’s camp. Blanka was livid that I had kept it in. Bjorn described the creature as a Skellar. Blanka described it as a Loup Garou. And we eventually settled on </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">werewolves</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Next time, and this is a gentle ask, if you could stow a duplicate of the briefing documents in my gear. It would keep things moving forward smoothly. When our banter turned toward tomorrow’s agenda. I was met with blank stares about any information beyond what I’d already heard. Thankfully, we did receive your message later that evening. And you likely received my second, more abstract message. There was a lot of talk about extermination of the known threat. Bjorn does have a shotgun full of silver buckshot, after all. They wouldn’t take kindly to one of their own getting gunned down. They are all family, after all.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh. Not just a family. They are a pack. Dammit. And </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">now </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I get it as I’m writing this. Isn’t that an apt term for an ever mysterious, ever watchful band of gypsies. Roving the countryside, disappearing at a moment’s notice, if need be. But, I’ll get to that.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m not a man of any deep superstitions. Not very many, at least, there seems to be more and more that I come by way of my companions. This is just another unsettling fact I’d almost be more content with being ignorant of.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn confided that he didn’t feel right, working on Odin’s holy day. He said that Odin would demand a sacrifice and if it wasn’t acceptable, we’d likely not see the next sunrise. Whether struck down by Valkyries or eaten by horse sized crows, I didn’t quite know what to expect. I promised I’d join him to see it through. I’d feel safer if he was by my side than otherwise.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Please make a note, Wednesday’s need to be a consideration for an operation when Bjorn is involved.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After everyone left, a journalist came into the bar. We exchanged pleasantries and ended up buying each other drinks. First because I longed for a stretch of normal conversation. His name is Dennis Moreau. When the next round came up, he obliged, pulling the most popular of my travelogue books from his bag and laying it on the bar. I hadn’t seen a copy of that book in ages. It wasn’t exactly comfortable as it rested on the bones of my old life. He handed me a pen and I signed it for him with a smile and we sipped our drinks.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I noticed he was carrying a compact camera, something that could be easily secreted away. He was clearly here for a purpose, and I grew concerned if he’d heard tell of the shapeshifters wandering the streets. He said that he was making an investment that he hoped would pay off. If I met him tomorrow evening, he said that we might have something to celebrate. I didn’t press him beyond that.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I met with Bjorn for breakfast and we tended to the “sacrifice”. A pig, slaughtered and left as an offering to Odin in a copse of trees just off of the walking path. It set the mood for the rest of the day. Bjorn was content, even proud, of the offering. The few citizens of the city that happened upon the display shortly thereafter likely didn’t quite appreciate it the same way.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka’s fascinated with Bjorn. His idiosyncrasies and superstitions make him the most interesting person she’s met in some time. His intense distrust of magic and her casual and frequent use of it is a very real risk. I thought Bjorn and I were oil and water, keeping to our tasks and objectives. This is far more applicable to Blanka and Bjorn. Keeping the water away when the oil is boiling is going to be crucial.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our appointment with Bridgette du Rivka happened on schedule. At 1400 she buzzed us in and we spoke with her on the third story balcony overlooking the street. Her station, being the attendant to the Augury must bring some status, but you wouldn’t see it from her. She’s a hawkish, intense woman; not bothered at all by the overwhelming force we brought for our visit.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka took notes. Bjorn stood guard. Cornel took in the environment.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was there we learned more of Cardinal Valenquin. It was a slow process of rolling back policy and instigating a grass roots offensive against the Kalderari. His activity since his return from Paris, nearly six months ago, has been very intent on making their lives miserable, but also that of his less well-to-do followers, as they received benefits from the same welfare events that the Kalderari would also take advantage of.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This had sown bad blood within the community toward the Kalderari, with the Cardinal using his office as a platform against them. This was all with the intent of removing their element. This has given rise to tensions and posturing between the two factions.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bridgette acknowledged that what she said was a condemnation of the man, but she felt that the Cardinal still is a good man. At least, she still believes he has that goodness in him.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was then that Bridgette mentioned that a man was attacked in the streets two nights ago. This is where the word of a shapeshifter came about.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No one had mentioned an attack. Sighting, yes, but attack?” </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It does look like a wild animal bit him, he said that it stood on two feet just like you and I. Now, he lays in bed with a fever. The treatments have not worked. I’ve been tending to him myself.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I saw the reactions from everyone behind Bridgette as they all exchanged glances. My heart sunk.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When Bridgette said her peace, she simply stopped talking. She had no need to pontificate on anything but these immediate thoughts. Her caution around speaking of the Cardinal was also apparent. She would not have brought it up unless she felt it was very, very necessary. I probed with a few other questions and they yielded very little additional information. She wasn’t a gossip, which made her initial comments and observation that much more poignant. Truly, I couldn’t imagine a more stolid soul who would attend to someone who receives guidance from the divine.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Outside of the apartment and down the street, we found a cafe. We settled in and planned out our next steps.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“If the man is turning we’re going to have ta do something about it. It takes three days for da change ta take hold.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“So, how do we save him?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We kill da one who bit him.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I put my hand to my face. This wasn’t a decision I was comfortable making.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka chimed in.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh, it’s much more scientific than that.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I couldn’t help but laugh at the irony. Scientific wasn’t a word I’d be using in this situation.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She continued.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We find Monkshood and make a remedy.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Monkshood is poisonous,” I said, “Fatal, even.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We could find it at an alchemist shop!”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“May I ask, are there any other medicinal properties of Monkshood outside of killing someone?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Well, no.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“They’re </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">not </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">going to sell poison at an alchemist shop.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It isn’t poisonous to someone </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">infected</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">,” she said.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Who is gonna ask da alchemist they need Monkshood ta cure Lycanthrope?” Bjorn brought the reality to bear.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka was quiet, she was still thinking. It just hadn’t all come together, yet.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Even if we get it. How do we know if he’s infected? Outside of the sprouting hair where he shouldn’t?” I asked.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The silence continued. There were blank stares and shrugs.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We need more information than this. The Kalderari are the ones who’d know about this remedy. I’m sure they also know the signs to look for.” I said.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The decision to visit the Kalderari’s was something that we all agreed on. Everyone had different reasons why, of course. We returned to the hotel with due haste. I belted on my Toro and made sure I was ready for a fight. We gathered in the parking lot in the afternoon sun then caught a cab to the Kalderari camp.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The road around the camp was packed with roadside shoppers. A police car sat half a kilometer away from the camp with two officers sitting in the auto with the windows rolled down; casually chatting while keeping an eye on things.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We arrived to the bustle of a party in full swing. A young girl saw us unfurl from the cab. It had nearly been riding on its axles with everyone in it. She moved from her perch and started heading back. I clucked my tongue at her, and motioned for her to come over. She scowled and retreated into the camp.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I spied a boy throwing rocks into the road.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oi!”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He heard me and turned his head my way. He craned his head back so far that he was fully looking down his nose at me from his meter and a half height. He stood, swaggering toward us.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I tried to bribe him with a little cash to fetch Vadim.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Tell Vadim that the man and the redhead are back.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As soon as the boy heard that, he leaned to look past me and sized Blanka up.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“She’s a little old for you,” I said, mildly disgusted.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We’ll see about that.” He made a provocative gesture.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka held up a pinky and waved at him with a smirk, but he was unperturbed.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I held up two Lyra.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“So, can you get Vadim?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just then, Vadim walked forward with the young girl.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“There he is.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The boy said it then immediately swiped the two Lyra. I watched, dumbfounded, as he returned to the roadside, picking some new rocks to throw. I grit my teeth. Vadim said something about a fine line, after all. I had a feeling that the boy was never going to come through life with either scars nor wisdom.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Welcome back!”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vadim’s arms were wide. I grimaced. I couldn’t stomach this showmanship. I had to get to the point. There were too many patrons to make a scene. I was extremely aware of disrupting their business.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We couldn’t stay away,” I responded, matching his grand speech, forcing a smile.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I moved in, close, hands loose at my side. I whispered through my teeth.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“There’s a man with a wild animal bite and a fever. I think you know something about that. Can we talk?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh yes, my friend,” he said aloud for those around us. His face unperturbed.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“All of you, come right this way.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There were a few onlookers who seemed surprised at the greeting we received. They looked at us with some intrigue as we moved between the loose pack of trailers.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We withdrew to the back of the camp, among some of the drab colored hosts with watchful eyes. If I felt unnerved before, this should have made me question even more, but I also had Bjorn, Cornel, and Blanka at my side. It wouldn’t be pretty, but it also wouldn’t be hopeless. There was very little between us and the dense woods. I wondered if more lay just out of sight, observing.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We stood in a line, I was a step forward from the others. Vadim took a seat on a well crafted chair that stood on a small wooden platform. It appeared to be his throne.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I then laid out the situation as plainly as I could, and objectively as I could, revealing the secrets I discovered about the Kalderari back to him. That members of his family were likely Skellars, Bjorn’s word, or Loup Garou, Blanka’s word. Werewolves were something that Cornel and I connected with. If he was disgruntled, it didn’t touch his eyes for some time, but an underlying weariness crept in and his smile began to fade.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I then discussed the attack.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We have a chance to save this man’s life, and I believe you can help.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He lips pressed into a thin line, an uncharacteristic look for him. He raised a hand and this beautiful, bronzed goddess of a woman slipped out from her hiding place. It was a wonder she blended in so well, she was wrapped in bright billowing silks of dark blue, violets, and rich reds. Her deep black hair was caught up with ribbons of blue and gold. She did not acknowledge us as she leaned toward Vadim and then immediately slipped away.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vadim grit his teeth as he thought on this.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“This was not a good man. He has laid many offenses against us. And, while I did not expressly allow it, I am not sad that it happened.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You said earlier that you bend and flex with the rule of law. This attack was neither flexing or bending.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vadim spoke aggressively, but it did not extend beyond his voice.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The Cardinal has made our lives miserable. He is attacking our people’s way of life. This is my family. I am responsible for our well-being. He makes it harder for us to support our own livelihoods. We are well within our rights to be here.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I nodded at his assessment, agreeing. He continued.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That is why I haven’t controlled my people. Why those who wear the wolf have taken it upon themselves to exact revenge.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He paused, considering me.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You are a government man, no?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Not exactly.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He looked at me confused. I wish I could convey that I’m a little confused about it myself. We might have to talk about that later.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We work under the guidance of government authorities. I work for those who have considerable pull in those halls.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That is complicated.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Tell me about it.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We watch for situations and offenses that fall outside the boundaries of the lay man.” I bowed my head and gestured toward him, “Which is why we are </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">talking</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and nothing more. I want to find a balance here. And, from your words, you want to do the same. I think we may be able to do this, but there are concessions.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We have made too many concessions!”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The way I see it, you’ve played into their trap. The liberties you’ve taken, or have allowed, rather, have put you at risk. The village draws a direct line between the attack and the Kalderari. You need to step back before you are fully revealed.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The woman returned, a small vial in her hand. She strode forward with all the confidence in the world and placed it in Vadim’s hand. She turned toward us, saying nothing, but tipping her chin up while studying each of us. I felt a twinge and the hair rose up on the back of my neck as her deep blue eyes locked with mine. I swore I could see her nostrils flaring with the exchange.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Are you here to just talk? Or are you going to help?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He was now rotating the vial in his hand, inspecting the vaguely purple liquid. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I eyed the vial. If this was the antidote, we might be able to disarm this whole situation. It was a good bargaining chip. I spoke up.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We will help, but I need you to give us the space to do our job. We’ve heard similar things about the Cardinal. In fact, our original reason for being here </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">was</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the Cardinal, until we also heard of the attack. We plan to visit with the man and make a decision from there.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Cardinal Valenquin is not an easy man to see.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I wouldn’t expect so. Especially to you and yours, but we might be able to take a different approach,” I paused, “What do you know of Cardinal?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He narrowed his eyes, then realized I was serious as I waited for his answer.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It takes a charlatan to know a charlatan,” he bowed his head slightly at his admission, “He plays a dangerous game with the people of Neuchatel and the surrounding area. He barters their trust to his own ends. While I am not </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">friends</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> with these people. I do care for their wellbeing. Yes, it affects </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">our</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> wellbeing, but we are all of a greater community.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I will admit that he once was a good man toward us. Months ago he started to poison his followers against us, sowing seeds of fear and spite. Changing his outreach to the needy in an attempt to hurt us. He surrounds himself with shadowy men to protect him. He listens to these counselors above all else. This is why the Cardinal is not an easy many to see. He is protected on all sides. We intended to take action, probe his defenses. I lost a dear friend to his men. I will not make that mistake again.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I clenched my teeth at the admission. He continued.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We will stand down, but know this, we will remedy the situation if you cannot. While you think you speak like you have the upper hand, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">we</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> are the predators. Some of mine have little patience for this mistreatment. There would be blood running in the streets...”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I could hear Bjorn’s grip on the shotgun tighten. I hadn’t realized he was holding it out in the open. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“And to do so, you will have destroyed </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">everything</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> you’ve built. You’d live like wild animals, constantly on the run. There would be extermination orders and government sanctioned hunts. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Kalderari, not just you and your tribe, would not be afforded any recognition or safety. Do you want that?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He spread his hands, looking downcast.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“If it comes to that we will do what we must.” he locked eyes with me, “Will you make sure that it doesn’t come to that?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I sighed. And nodded at the vial in his hand.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That’s the first step. Saving that man will go a long way to defuse the situation.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He beckoned me over and held the vial out. I took it from his hand and nodded in appreciation. I returned to Bjorn and Blanka’s side. I handed the vial to Blanka.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You should know, those shadowy men that the Cardinal listens to, we’ve done our own investigations. The first is Leon Webber. He once lead the teamsters at the docks, a hard man who is quick to aggression. He handpicked the enforcers that surround the Cardinal.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I pulled out a notepad and jotted the name down. I intended to do a little investigation on my own.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“There is one other, I forget his name.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He consulted with his men briefly, they spoke in a flurry of hard consonants. I noticed that the woman did not fully retreat, she stood watching us from the lengthening shadows, one hand resting on her hip, the other loose by her side.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vadim looked up from his consultation.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Aaron Paul. Yes. He whispers directly into the Cardinal’s ear. I don’t know who he is. One day he just appeared. The escalation of hostilities came shortly after. We’ve only laid eyes on him a few times. He does not attend the church sessions.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I finished my notes and nodded to him. He held his head back, suddenly looking like a king on his throne.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“If you do not resolve this within the week, we will resolve it for you. Whatever the cost.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We will resolve it. We will be in touch.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vadim nodded, but the rest of his troupe's eyes were on us: piercing, quiet, wary.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I looked to my sides, Cornel, hands loosely clasped, but his frame was rigid. Bjorn’s Vindicator shotgun was held crosswise over his massive chest. Blanka’s hands were white in tight little fists held firmly to her sides. I realized my own legs were locked in place from standing rigidly at attention. It was just another reminder of getting old. It took a moment for me to ease my knees out of the locked position and get them in motion again.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We turned toward the road, maneuvering through multiple rows of trailers and campers. I checked my watch. It was nearly 1600 when we left.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We moved down the road. We did not request that our cab return this time, but it was a good moment to consult with the team. There was a lot of talk of killing certain individuals: Vadim, the Cardinal, these two new mysterious men, Aaron and Leon. My only thought was to get to the Andres household and keep the one thing we had control over from happening.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We passed the police along our way out. I looked back and saw Bjorn still openly wielding the shotgun. It was perched on his shoulder. I cringed, but maintained my gait.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It took a while to wind our way down into Neuchatel. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We found the household, it was a mere stone’s throw from Bridget’s residence.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lights were on in the topmost floor. We moved carefully through the building and we came to a red painted door. Cornel snapped his fingers and waved us back from the door, he looked at the lock and along the edges of the door, and nodded and flagged us back. I looked to Bjorn who stood behind the door, gripping the shotgun low and close to his side. Bjorn nodded to me and I lightly knocked on the door.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The door opened to a cherubic woman with flushed cheeks. She seemed surprised to see company.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Hello?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We came to check in on your husband. Make sure he is doing well.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh. Who are you?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We’re from the church,” I lied.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She brightened at that and let us in. The smells of years of cooking permeated everything. It smelled like there was a stew continuously cooking back in the kitchen. It was especially warm in the room, but the windows remained shut. She went and checked on her husband.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A young man was also in the room. He had settled into a chair with a thick book. He glanced up, but when hearing who we were with, he paid us little mind.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mrs. Andres returned and took us back to where her husband was convalescing. Cornel stayed behind in the living room. When we walked into the room, there was a strong smell of medicines and alcohol. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The man was dripping with sweat, but the blankets were pulled up to his neck. He fumbled for a glass of water, knocking it down.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh, he’s thirsty. Can you get him some more water?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She obliged, retrieving the glass, and whisking out of the room quickly.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Shut the door.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka shut the door after the woman had left. I moved forward quickly and pulled the blankets off of him, he was wearing only his small clothes. The wound was on the shoulder, bright red like a ripe apple, the puncture wounds were clearly a bite from an animal with large canines. The wound was slicked with a curative ointment that was clearly not working.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We’ve gotta get this done quickly. Bjorn? Could you hold him down?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn unslung his shotgun and handed it to me. The man was foggy until we pressed him against the bed, then his eyes widened.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka pulled out the vial and moved forward. The man was weakly fighting against Bjorn.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Lay.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The words echoed through my head, like the voice of the divine pressing in on me. It was Blanka’s voice. I blinked back then looked back at her. She had uncorked the vial and was on approach. I saw Bjorn react just as poorly as I had, but the words weren’t meant for us. The man flopped back weakly.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Open.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His eyes and mouth held open with the command, he seemed unable to resist. She poured the liquid in his mouth, but then it started to spill out of his mouth as he fought against it. Blanka moved forward and tried to keep him from spitting out the. Bjorn clamped his hand over the man’s mouth. A little of the liquid squirted between his fingers as the man tried to force it out. Bjorn pinched his nose shut as well.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Good god.” I whispered.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The man’s ears began to point. Hair from his brow began to descend down his forehead and his face began to distort under Bjorn’s hands, who tried in vain to maintain his grip. The brown eyes appeared to glow and settled on a golden hue. Muscles erupted up and down the man’s once doughy frame and hair spread over his body like an infestation. Claws erupted from his fingertips. A deep growl reverberated through the massive chest as the creature proceeded to throw Bjorn into the air. It quickly moved to standing on the bed wearing the straining small clothes. The werewolves’ golden eyes looked between us and snarled.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Bani?” Bjorn said, and gestured at my hand.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I looked down, recognizing the shotgun, and immediately tossed it to him. The golden eyes turned and looked on Bjorn.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Three shots rang out in quick succession. Two of the silver buckshot rounds burst into the creature, spraying gouts of blood and bone. The hiss of the silver rounds was more visible than heard. The damage was devastating, but the creature didn’t slow.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I pulled my gun and turned back to Blanka.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Tell Cornel to get the fuck in here!”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One clawed hand slashed Bjorns left shoulder, narrowly missing his neck. It opened its toothy jaw wide and came down on Bjorn’s right shoulder. Bjorn shrugged past it, dropping his shoulder and twisting in place, his wide eyes watching the glistening teeth narrowly miss with a snap.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This left his side vulnerable. The creature instinctively took advantage of it and sunk its claws through layers of Bjorn’s coat and shirt.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn began to cough blood.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I leveled my Toro and got two shots off. The first sunk into the far wall, but second disappeared in the creature’s shredded torso.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn’s shotgun went off again, but it was likely he was now out of rounds.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Cornel is on his way.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka shouted, moving up beside me, she drew her firearm and planted three bullets into the wolf's face. The first cracked the orbital, the second burst the eyeball, and the third shot caved in the side of its face. It flopped backward on the blood drenched bed with a wet thud, it’s entrails falling away from the last shot from Bjorn’s shotgun. A wicked smell quickly spread as its intestines had burst in the process.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cornel was through the door, his face lit with horror at the scene.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Shut the door!”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He stepped back, holding it closed.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“They can’t see this.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It took mere moments, the curse left the man, his frame reduced and his face smoothed, but you could barely tell through the viscera.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I looked at Bjorn. His bloody teeth were bared and gritting, blood was dripping down his bottom lip. He coughed painfully.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They were pounding on the door. My head was spinning.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Let them open the door. We have to get out of here.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blanka started to concentrate on the bed, but then Bjorn angrily charged her, grabbed her, and dragged her out of the room. I swear I caught a bizarre smile on her face as she was hauled off. I nodded to Cornel and gestured out.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“He attacked us. We need to report this to the church.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Both his wife and his son were frozen, looking at his scattered remains. We pounded out the door. Trundled down the stairs and moved out onto the street. It was early evening. Long shadows stretched out, ahead of it.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He’d have been closing shop just around this time, taking his earnings to the bank. It was three days ago at exactly this time when he was attacked.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We had just missed our window.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn was doing his best to keep from leaving a blood trail.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We have a ways back ta the hotel. There’s no way we can do this without getting spotted.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’ve got this,” Blanka said.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She clapped toward the ground and clapped above her head.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Follow me, no one can see us.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We wandered through the streets, giving a wide berth to the citizenry that were either walking on the roads or grouped together and talking on one of the better days we’ve had in recent memory.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We moved up to the hotel and Blanka moved to release her spell.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We need to be </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">inside</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the hotel.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She furrowed her brow and looked at the revolving door.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Can I leave this and be seen normally?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes. I think.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Follow me to my room. We’ll talk there.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I walked out of the influence and saw Blanka and the others vanish behind me. I hadn’t seen much of what Blanka could do, but it is both terrifying and impressive. I quickly checked myself to make sure there were no outward signs of our recent struggle. Outward appearances, I was no worse off. Even if I was swimming in my sweat under it all.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I moved toward the door. The revolving doors had regular push doors on either side for larger luggage. I leaned through one of the side doors and then held it open, fiddling with the handle. The woman at the desk gave me a grumpy look. I waited for them to go through, but wasn’t sure how long to wait.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I heard a disembodied hiss with Blanka’s voice on the inside of the hotel lobby. I let go of the door and moved toward my room.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We all spoke for hours. Bjorn washed up and got bandages in place. I let him use the bed while we crafted a new plan. It is imperative that what comes next is executed quickly and precisely.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m writing this to let you know that we’re highly visible here. This didn’t go as planned, but it could have been much worse: a man who’d be bitten, changed into a beast and tore apart his family and then assaulted others throughout the neighborhood.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That doesn’t mean that it makes my stomach turn to have murdered an innocent because we didn’t get there in time.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We’ve made clear and lasting impressions wherever we’ve been, unfortunately. And, depending on what happens next with the bloody mess we left behind, we’ll need to stay scarce, yet still actively working to understand the situation with the Cardinal. I don’t intend to kill anyone else, but there are some bad actors embedded in this situation that need to be resolved, and I doubt it’ll happen peacefully. If we can save the Cardinal, we will. Tangling with the church, at any level, deeply concerns me.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I know you’re relying on our best. Let’s hope our best is good enough in this case.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435808207395330499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526285455094698909.post-83789526708408116112020-06-04T19:44:00.002-07:002020-06-15T10:09:51.746-07:00Report - Operation Witch Hunt<span id="docs-internal-guid-85847669-7fff-fecf-bfbe-ed28ba820578"><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 20pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 20pt; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mission Debrief:</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lead Operative: Bani Elkind</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Operative: Maarten Ramseier</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Contractor: Bjorn Oleander</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Subject: Monica Granger</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Expenses: 300 Lyra (Receipts included)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Outcome: Success</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Summary:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bani Elkind, solo operator. Paired with Bjorn Oleander (Contractor). Receipt of known practitioner, Monica Granger, who had violated Clovian custom. Studying magic as a commoner while under Lord Pelletier’s employ. Monica and field agent Maarten Ramseier had been marked and nearly compromised on pickup. Bjorn and Bani evaded enemy action and transported the subject to Neuchatel, Burgundia safely.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Detail:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bring a coat if you’re planning a trip to Clovia. While spring is typically unpredictable just about anywhere. Clovia brings us a memorable springtime with bristling winds and heavy downpours. While the weather is similar enough to Bugundia, the hospitality and charm can’t quite meet the same warmth that we’re accustomed to.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like to travel light, bringing just enough to be comfortable with moving from the train to the cab. I wore a simple outfit, wearing layers of a tweed sport coat over a dense earthy cardigan. Wool trousers with suspenders. I decided to avoid long underclothes since, if it’d come to being out in the open, it would likely be one of many more important problems.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Outside of a generous bundle of eight hundred Lyra and my own paperwork, I held the papers that would get Monica Granger across the border, showing her as Mila Aleksander, a Burgundian on holiday in Clovia.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The man I was to meet, Bjorn, filled up the cab with his dense physique. He was clearly a Norman, or, more appropriately, a Northman. His viking descent was clear. He had a moody air to him, but it was clear it came from experience. A gruff pessimism isn’t something you end up with at the end of a war. He’d seen it all up close and personal, as his file had said. We were a natural fit, like oil and water. Meaning, we both had our jobs and we stuck to them. His experience was truly a counterbalance to my own nerves. And, while not my first time by any means, I was far from comfortable.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s said that the difference in expectations is what causes dissatisfaction. For this operation, I’ve chosen to have little to no expectations of the outcome.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As we set out, Bjorn sized me up in the rearview mirror.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Are ya armed?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes. I’ve got my Toro.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Ya know your way around a shotgun?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Absolutely. Though I prefer a rifle.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn shrugged.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Look under da seat.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A well oiled shotgun was attached to the bottom of the seat, held snugly in place by breakaway clamps. I left it in place, running my fingers along the pistol grip handle. It was custom, well used, but also well maintained. A sturdy ammo box was bolted to the side of the compartment, I flipped a latch and found a sampling of grenades bundled in cloth. I clamped the ammobox down.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“And grenades? Nothing like going out with a bang.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A glance at the rearview mirror showed he still looked straight ahead, but his eyes held a slight smile. I returned everything to its place, but I could still smell the gun oil on my hand. For whatever reason, it was comforting, even while sitting on a bouquet of grenades.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We continued, speaking in short bursts. He pulled a few draughts from a flask he kept close. The smell of spirits mixed with the smells of coming rain that blew in through the vents. The already overcast skies grew more threatening as we moved toward the border.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As we moved into Neuchatel, Bjorn grunted about finding the safehouse before we continue on to the border. It was that level of forethought that reminded me that I should be taking some mental notes from the burly cab driver. The safehouse was tucked among the rowhomes facing the river. They were near-indistinguishable from each other. We drove past it once before locking onto the small, neatly placed numbers on the right doorpost.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That’s de one.” He nodded toward the door.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He leaned forward and produced a rag from under the seat. He opened the door and unfolded from the cab, setting off to a neighboring light post. He tied the rag there with a simple knot. It’d be easy to see if we were under duress. I scratched out another mental note.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We set off for the border, Neuchatel’s large keep shrunk behind us.The steeples of the keep’s towering church were the last things to disappear behind the mountains. The sight made me feel just a touch sentimental.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We spoke of the mission.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What’s yer plan?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I thought briefly, and just as I opened my mouth.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Ya should go wit pickin’ up your fiance? How ‘bout dat?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes. Sure. I was just thinking that.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The story played well in my head. As I mulled on it, I felt myself dropping into the role. My skills didn’t run in this area, but this was all about adaptability and, more importantly, the confidence to trust I could adapt.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As we closed in on the border, Bjorn pulled to a petrol station, moving in close to the pump. I noted that he was going with “the good stuff” as it were. I had little understanding of those things. I made my way out of the cab to stretch my legs. It was chilly, but nothing untoward for springtime. The rains were nearly upon us, you could smell it, taste it, and now feel the heaviness of it. Any moment now.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I meandered into the station the rain started as subtle as a handful of gravel sprinkled on a tin pot. I browsed through the knick-knacks briefly. A sun hat—completely useless in this weather, a scarf with the markings of the Burgundian flag, and a small sampling of chocolates. My betrothed needed gifts from our long time apart, after all. I paid for the fuel and the small sampling of gifts then I walked back to the vehicle, protecting the receipts and goods with the quickly-soaking sun hat.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn scowled briefly, seeing that I had paid for the petro then huffed a laugh at the sight of the paltry selection.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s all they had!” I said, shrugging.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“She’d best kick ya to da curb when she sees dat.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I never intended to be a </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">good</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> fiance.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That may have been a little too close to the truth. All the best, sweet Cassandra.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn appeared to have been out when the rain started, droplets of water standing in his beard. He seemed slightly more irritated than before. It was difficult to gauge his irritation, both the degree and severity were nearly unreadable.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To get into it, if you’re looking to travel through Clovia, it’s best to start with understanding the people: The Gaulish tend to be a forlorn bunch. Oppressed, some may say, but perhaps it’s simply boredom from hitting rocks together. Transit through Clovia is much like stepping back in time. Outside of noteworthy city buildings, noble houses, and polished vehicles, the rest is quite simple. The most notable pastimes are drinking and, possibly, more drinking. The working man has progressed little more than past the age of Iron and communicating with smoke signals.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">State agents seemed to be a few steps above the common folk. The guards at the border greeted us with quickly barked orders and snappy gestures. Each hoped that their young faces looked hardened enough by the scowls they wore to pass for threatening. Perhaps this was part of their training, to sweat out the guilty. Unfortunately for them, we weren’t guilty of anything yet.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn played to the one while I played to the other our roles coincided, but were clearly separate. Oil. Water.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As we left the border, the rain on the roof was the chatty third passenger. This lasted for a majority of the way to our destination. Bjorn would squint through the windshield and curse silently as the driver side wiper blade seemed to fail him. We stopped again, this time I stayed in and watched as he struggled with a new wiper blade. We set off down the road again and he made another clearly dissatisfied gesture at the wiper.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I thought again of the degrees and severity of his mood, but he clearly had a defined set of compartments for his various thoughts and feelings. He spoke evenly of the mission whilst his frustration level was high. His emotions toward specific circumstances were neatly divided and did not appear to pool together.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The rain had reduced down to a drizzle for a short time, then stopped altogether and the clouds began to part. Bjorn’s initial frustration had subsided, he was focused on the road ahead. Through each change in the weather, he was unfazed. Expertly guiding the trundling vehicle down the highway.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We’re here.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We pulled from the smooth highway then meandered through old streets. Bikes and autos dotted the area, very few of them in motion with the recent rains. I could feel a tremble through the seat as we rolled over disheveled paver stones. Clovia and their stones, after all.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After a mixture of roads and roundabouts, a thick forest of monuments and mausoleums came into view. This was the cemetery we were meant to pick up the subject. A tall statue overlooked the area.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn grunted at the ancient graveyard, and nodded. Then shuddered as he got close.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I init going ta park dere.” He said, mostly to himself, as he glided past the cemetery.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I leaned into his words for a moment, then understood. He moved down the road to the front of a neighboring hotel. I looked at him.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Stay in sight. Right?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Right.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You know who yer lookin’ for?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes. Just a description, but it’s recognizable enough.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Let’s hope she’s not </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">too</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> recognizable.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The thought made me catch my breath. There’s a fine line between feeling cautious and feeling panic. I shook it off and exited the cab making sure to take the sun hat and scarf with me Then made my way toward the cemetery.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It took me a moment to recapture my earlier thoughts. I saw the setting sun and remembered that I was a man in love, seeing his fiance after a long holiday. I lengthened my stride with the thought. An older gentleman was moving the same direction. Smoke curled from his pipe emitting a lovely aroma. He also had a bundle of mixed wildflowers held tightly by the stems in his other hand. I smiled to myself.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That is a lovely tobacco. What blend is that?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I walked beside him for a moment. His bushy salt and pepper eyebrows raised at me as he studied my face. He puffed briefly as he walked and thought.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Sugar Sand,” he said with a thick Gualish accent and gesturing, “Tobacco shop. Two streets.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Where did you get flowers?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His head bobbed back toward where we had just come.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Umm, fleur ... </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">florist</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in hotel.” He struggled with his Burgundian for a moment.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Thank you, sir.” I smiled warmly with a nod and turned heel before even crossing the street.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn had exited his vehicle, the “off duty” lights were on. He was leaning on the front fender. He appeared to be waiting for a fare from the hotel. He narrowed his eyes briefly as he watched me walk back, but gave no other acknowledgement.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I rushed into the florist and quickly assembled a collection of rich red roses. She paired the ensemble with sprigs of baby’s breath and pussy willow. She didn’t speak, but nodded as I counted out the cost of the arrangement. The red silk ribbon cost nearly the amount of the entire bouquet.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I exited the hotel and moved back toward the cemetery. I could see that the old man had since settled in front of a gravestone, sitting on a thick blanket, sipping from a bottle of spirits. Clearly having a drink with an old friend.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There were very few other people near the front of the cemetery. Still, it took me a moment to see the couple sitting in the shadow of the statue. They were slightly too far apart to be a couple, but close enough that they were clearly together. His pant cuffs were muddy and they were considerably under-dressed for the inclimate weather.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I stood facing the statue flowers and gifts in hand. I could see Bjorn in the distance, looking in my direction, he gave a subtle nod toward the couple. I wrapped the scarf with the Burgundian flag around my hand and held it in the small of my back with my hand open. As I considered how to engage, I saw a woman move toward Bjorn and begin talking animatedly. Her motions were exaggerated, erratic. I squinted at the engagement, trying to get a read on Bjorn’s body language.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Parasol.” A tense male voice said behind me.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All my attention clicked back to the couple behind me. I recognized the word. I thumbed through the code words in my memory. I counted in my head, using mnemonics I devised for exactly this.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Candor.” I responded.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Isthmus.” He said, his voice easing.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Vacillate.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was an almost imperceptible sigh of relief. I glanced down, and saw out of the corner of my eye that the man from the bench was now crouched two meters behind me, tending to his shoes.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I wish you had come earlier. We’ve been marked. Someone or something has been on our trail. Don’t turn around, just listen.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This must have been Maarten, one of the firstclassmen of Nachtricter. I lifted my gaze to the statue and saw Bjorn still talking with the woman who seemed intensely engaged. She stood extremely close to him, her head tilting as her mouth moved rapidly. Bjorn slowly shook his head then gestured toward the cab. She seemed visibly put off, and moved past him. She scanned the area moving toward the crosswalk. I shuddered. I think I may have just seen who was looking for them.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I need to leave her with you. She’s bound to catch a cold and needs to be cared for. Please, care for her.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was an interesting turn of phrase. I nodded toward the statue. I heard him stand and the grind of his shoes as he turned and then footsteps faded away. There was a brief silence, then I felt a cold hand take mine.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I turned and looked at her, giving her my best smile. She clearly fit the description of Monica. I could read the thousand indications of a woman near panic and bound to snap. It was time to take control.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I embraced her warmly, feeling her stiffen against me, then slowly relax into it.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Monica, we’re here to take you to safety.” I whispered in the embrace.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“They know we are here!” She said, with a clear Gaulish accent.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh. Dammit.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I know. It’s terrifying.” Her voice was a trembling whisper.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No, not that. Something else. Let’s go. Just follow my lead.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I pulled back from the embrace and took her hands, still smiling. Her face was a mixture of emotions, she looked pained as her face weakly attempted a smile.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s so lovely to see you. I brought you these flowers!”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I held them in front of her face and then pulled the wilting sun hat over her head.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You should smell those flowers, they are incredible.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn was still scanning the area passively with an eye toward us. I moved in his direction with Monica in tow. The woman who Bjorn had spoken to earlier was just ahead, her bright gold eyes were held just slightly too wide, giving her a manic sort of look. I felt a chill as they locked on to mine. She moved to engage. I smiled and nodded to her, then moved past her ignoring her advance.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After all, I was in love with this woman. We had places to be. And we needed a cab.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Taxi!”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn was immediately in the cab, motor running and swinging around the roundabout. The woman had wandered back to the crosswalk and was now blocking Bjorn’s approach, seeming to be oblivious. I could see Bjorn smiling through grit teeth. Once the roundabout cleared, Bjorn was a cabby again, holding the door for a couple about town. Monica was first and I entered into the rear passenger door.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A shout got my attention. A man was running full tilt from the graveyard. His face was twisted with fury. He reached into his jacket and produced a revolver. Just as Bjorn pulled his door shut, the glass burst and there was a wet thud. Bjorn let out a pained grunt. Monica began to chant and gesture. I clenched my teeth. While sworn to protect her, the use of magic in close proximity always set me on edge. Blanka continually flaunted it and, while I hadn’t been the subject of her spells, I was never quite sure when that day would come. Or, more importantly, how badly I would react when it did. Scintillating lights reflected around the cab as the sunset’s rays reflected off of the glass shards. They spat out of the car, lancing at the assailant. The furious man reflexively spun a shoulder toward the shimmering projectiles. His pistol was gone, quickly replaced by a metal studded bat. This barely slowed his pursuit as he nearly reached the door just as Bjorn pulled away.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Monica began to chant again.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Tell her ta stop or I swear I’ll send her tru da fuckin’ windshield…” Bjorn shouted to the back.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I quickly put one hand up to her and gently pushed her hands to her lap.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Not here. Not now.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She looked both surprised and disappointed, but ultimately complied with the request.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I could see Bjorn gripping the steering wheel tightly, his face strained. He let out a low “aaaugh” as he appeared to succeed in his fight against the pain. I wondered if the bullet that hit him was any danger to him and, subsequently, to us.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“They are getting into another car.” Monica shouted</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’ve got dis,” Bjorn was unaffected, his eyes locked on the road ahead, “Best hold on ta somethin’.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“About a block behind us,” I said, “Miss, can I have you scoot forward.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I rolled the seat back, grappled the stowed shotgun and tugged it free of the clamps. I set it on the floor. Monica wasn’t just shocked, she was horrified. While I saw this as far cleaner than using magic, I could see that she clearly didn’t.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I dug in and flipped open the ammo box and counted out three grenades. The first two, I put in Monica’s hands and took one myself. I closed up the box. Monica was still looking at the devices in her hands as I rolled the seat back into place.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Careful. They’re grenades.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her eyes widened.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Only if things get out of control,” I said, then turned to Bjorn, “It looks like they’re about two hundred meters behind.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn shouted behind, “If you’d oblige and put the first round from the shotgun into the lass.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I raised an eyebrow and glanced at the rearview mirror. He seemed perfectly serious.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Salt load. Works great on demons.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Monica’s expression was priceless, daintily holding two grenades as far from her as possible.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I racked the shotgun, sending the salt load to the floor.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Any buckshot or slugs?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Next load is silver scattershot.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Damn. You </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">did</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> come prepared.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn responded by weaving quickly into oncoming traffic. I threw myself back in the seat and grabbed for the handle above the window. Monica was still stuck with two grenades in her hands.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We bounced back into the lane. Bjorn had deftly avoided a small cluster of cars trying to park. His focus was uncanny. I swear I could see him channelling his berserker ancestry as he maneuvered through the battlefield ahead. It was clear that he had both hands on his weapon of choice. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Monica finally found a pocket in the back of the seat to stow the grenades. She shook her hands anxiously as if they’d been too hot to hold.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I glanced behind us, but failed to pick out the pursuers. Monica glanced at me with a question, then called forward.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“They’re still behind us!”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Dis may get rough,” Bjorn said evenly.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At this point, he seemed to be looking for trouble. He glanced down a street and saw another cluster of cars and wrenched the steering wheel in that direction.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This time, oncoming traffic was coming at speed. Bjorn gunned it, sending the car squealing forward.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I grimaced as I saw him charging the narrow empty space. I pressed a knee against the seat in front of me and gripped the handle above the window again. I watched Monica grappling around frantically, attempting to brace herself as well. I caught myself grinning.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She caught sight and immediately scowled.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn thought better of the narrow gap, and jumped directly to the sidewalk. A wrought iron table spun away on contact. Patrons to the coffee shop we brushed past stared wide eyed. A few stepped forward as our pursuers decided to take the same route. One patron stepped out a little too far and caught the edge of their vehicle. It spun him around, sending him to the ground. Monica put a shocked hand to her mouth.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“He’ll live. I’m pretty sure.” I called forward, “They’re still on us.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn grumbled.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The car jerked in response, he used the wet streets to glide cleanly down a new path. We were now on a road with the ancient jumbled paver stones. We rattled away in the back. He’d taken the difficulty up a notch for one last hurrah.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I didn’t look at Ms. Granger for fear of what she’d read in my expression. I didn’t quite expect us to survive whatever may come next.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They careened into the same path, still well behind us. Bjorn fired up the engine, the vehicle’s frame was shifting and rattling with the effort. He bore down a straightaway with parked bicycles, trashcans, and wet paper bags. People were on bikes in the center lane, but Bjorn’s persistent pounding on a squeaky horn sent them scattering. He weaved tightly through the channel, avoiding the parked bicycles, but, conversely, leaned into tearing up trash and scattering it over the path. I felt a tickle of vertigo as Bjorn repeatedly balanced the car on two wheels.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I held my breath for the whole length, hoping the effort to make myself small would help. As we emerged on the other side. Both Monica and I spun back. The pursuers, within the first few moments, caught one of the bicycle tires pulling the vehicle deeper into the pile, the vehicle launched over the pile into a brick-walled storefront. The vehicle’s windshield flopped forward and slid forward over the hood from the force of the impact.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I whooped at the sight while Monica cheered. I turned front to slap Bjorn on the shoulder, but then thought better of it. Bjorn didn’t necessarily join in, but he sat a little straighter in his seat in recognition of what he’d just done.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We’re not out yet. Keep yer panties on, you two.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“After that masterful handling, if they don’t offer you a long term contract after reading my report, I’ll fire myself as a writer.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn maintained speed. Entering the highway and putting considerable distance between us and our pursuers.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We were well on our way when Bjorn exited the highway again. I looked up at the mirror with a question and saw a look that implied unfinished business. We wandered down some rural roads for a moment. Monica seemed unaware that this wasn’t part of the plan. She pensively watched the passing pastoral scenery.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He pulled off the road and the auto shook as he pulled himself out of the cabin. He opened her door and I leaned forward.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We need to talk.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She was frazzled and immediately on the defensive. Exactly as I would have been if I were in her shoes.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Ya </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">never</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> play wit my head. I heard ya whisperin’ an’ tugging at my mind.” Bjorn towered over her.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I did not.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She spoke softly at first, then more emphatically.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I did not! I sent those shards of glass! I defended us!”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The earlier motion of Bjorn seeming to wrest free of some power trying to control him now made much more sense. Possibly the woman with crazy eyes. I had no idea how I’d have fared if she had turned that on me.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Monica became indignant. Standing up to Bjorn who pushed his chest forward, but his hands did not find a resting place.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You know this? You know I didn’t do it!” She looked back toward me, her eyes pleading.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Just hear him out. We are not going to harm you. We are taking you to safety.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I leaned forward to make eye contact with Bjorn after she turned back to face him. Trying to get a read on him and make sure that he understood this as well. I retreated, flipping up the seat and taking time to return the shell to the shotgun and replace it under the seat. Then I gathered the grenades and tucked them back into the ammo box.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Dere will be no magic in my cab. And ya will never do magic touching my mind. Got it?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She was indignant at first, still intent on expressing her innocence, but then she nodded with a cowed expression, looking to the floor. It was hard to know if this was just an act of complicity to move past this or if she genuinely didn’t mean to tread.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I could see the bullet hole from the gunshot. Blood had clearly soaked through the full length sleeve he wore. I grimaced at how painful that must be. He, however, showed no signs acknowledging the wound. It had stopped bleeding, at least.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After Bjorn had said his peace, the tension in the cab was high for the next couple of kilometers while he meandered through until the next entrance to the highway appeared ahead. They exchanged steely glances in the rearview mirror for a moment until I’d had enough of it myself.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“This is yours Ms. Granger.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I pulled the papers from my inner pocket, unrolled them, and handed them to her.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You are Mila Aleksander. You are Burgundian.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No I’m not!”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She was new to this, I had to remind myself.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“For the next two hundred kilometers, yes you are. You are my fiance.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She looked incredulous again. I raised my hands in a gesture for her to hear me out.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You need to play the part so we can get past the border guard. You choose how this will play out, and I’ll follow your lead. But you’re the most important part of this.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She raised an eyebrow.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You are </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">clearly</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> not Burgundian. As soon as you open your mouth, there will be questions. Your grasp of Burgundian is wonderful, but the accent is a giveaway.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I tapped the paper to draw her attention to the words again.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You are Mila Aleksander. Say it with me.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Meeya.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No. Mila. Let’s practice. This is the one thing we need to get absolutely right. Once you’re comfortable with that, we can work on other words and phrases if you’d like. But, for now, lets keep it simple.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She looked shaken, but she started practicing and I intoned along with her until she hit the inflections exactly. I nodded at her with a smile. She held the papers close, absorbing the information.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“This should be no effort for you. You, apparently, are a quick study.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She looked bewildered at first, then recognition. There was a fleeting look of pride which she quickly masked.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Not many people can pick up a book of magic and make something of it.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“For five years I studied.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Impressive, really.” I nodded, “But you got caught. How?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She turned inward. Either sheepish or embarrassed.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t want to speak on this.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I nodded. The question prompting introspection was intentional. After all, everyone needs to know of their own limitations. It’s not a spiteful thing, just a self check. It’s important to be self-aware enough to question your path before you tread too confidently right off of a cliff.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Keep working on this. We need this to succeed.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn leaned back.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“If story time is over, we need clothes. Dis blood is a dead giveaway. We need to find somewhere big enough ta have a shop dats still open.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I can run in if you find one. I have the cash.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I patted at the swollen wad of Lyra in my coat pocket.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn set off in search of a clothier. Clovia, especially this far from city centers, was little more than a string of dairy farms and fields. With the citizenry squelched by a monarch’s reign, there was little chance for much change while Clovia’s rulers were still sitting on high.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The sun had finally dropped beyond the mountains and darkness came in. The sky had long since shed its clouds and was open to a starry night sky. The moon hadn’t quite joined in. Bjorn had weaved through towns, growing increasingly agitated as we came closer to the border. Monica was dutifully mouthing her pseudonym over and over, but she seemed to also be listening, too. She put no breath behind it so it was impossible to know what our how she was doing.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On one main street of a more populated town, it was clear that a textile mill was the central fixture. Adjoining the mill was a clothing outlet. The lights had just clicked off and a man stood outside, wriggling keys in the lock.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I leaned forward between the seats looking up the steps to the storefront. Bjorn gave me a shooing motion, annoyed at my proximity.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Here, I’ll talk to him.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I bounded out of the car.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Sir! Sir! If I may, I was hoping I could quickly peruse your shop before you close up?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The man’s eyes widened immediately as I approached. He was an older gentleman, and I stood nearly a head taller than him. His left eyelid began to twitch erratically.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I… I was just closing up.” He was Clovian, but his Gualish accent was less pronounced as he spoke Burgundian.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I will </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">absolutely</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> make it worth your while.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I flashed the wad of Lyra, which didn’t appear to entice him at all.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Please. I wanted to buy my woman a gift before we depart Clovia.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He could tell I had no intention of leaving. I counted fifty Lyra and put it in his pocket.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“There is more where that came from. Eat a good meal. Buy a crate of your favorite spirits. Celebrate!”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His hand shook as he pushed the key back into the lock and wriggled it open. On the inside, he raised large block switches and large overhead lights turned on.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I started in on my requests and he gingerly pointed to each item I requested. I found something that I hoped would fit Bjorn: a hulking navy blue jacket with a matching grey wool turtleneck. Monica was a more demure sort. I picked out a fashionable light-gray long coat, a black felted hat with a wide wired rim, and matching black leather gloves.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I guessed at all of the measurements, factoring that a size bigger would be more acceptable than otherwise.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I tossed all the items on the counter and the man looked bemused. It was hard to know if he thought I might still rob him. I watched as he wrote out each receipt and noted it.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Keep in mind, the deeper the discount, the better your tip. I’ll still pay full price.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I must have startled him when I spoke. He breathed deeply, staying very focused on the task at hand. He lined out an illegible scribble and started on a new line. I recognized that he was under duress and waited patiently for him to finish.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He handed me the receipt showing eighty Lyra. I counted out one hundred and sixty and laid it on the counter. I gathered the boxes and moved outside. As the door was nearly closed, I heard the man drop into the worn leather chair that sat behind the counter and let out a long sigh.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As the door clicked shut behind me and I made toward the cab with a smile. I piled the boxes into the vehicle and we set off.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“He’s not goin’ ta remember us at all is he?” Bjorn’s voice had an edge of contempt to it.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t care.” I said with a grin, “We’ll be over the border before he tells anyone about it.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some distance down the road, we stopped to change. Using a bare streetlight, we rifled through the boxes. Bjorn shrugged into the coat with a pained grimace. It seemed to fit well enough. Monica had seemed smaller than she appeared. The coat fit more snugly than expected, but it definitely worked for her.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As she looked at her reflection in the rear window, she pulled it tight and marveled at the cut. Then she began to look uncomfortable. She shook her head and started to tug at sleeves to remove the coat.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Doesn’t it fit? It looked fine.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes. But. I … it is too much.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Explain ‘too much’?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It is not </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">meant</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for me.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then it dawned on me. She was a scullery maid. For years, this was all she knew and she was little more than a slave. These were the finest things she’d have ever owned. Her eyes glittered with desire, but she was also repelled by it. It was a bewildering sort of challenge.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before she could wrangle the coat from her arms, I took the black leather gloves from a box.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Here, try these on.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She paused. I pulled the long coat back in place. I took her left hand. They were rough, calloused, used to work. While I hadn’t considered it earlier, she wouldn’t have the dainty smooth hands of a noble. I was glad that I had sized up. I pulled the cuff up her wrist and slid them in place. She stared at them, opening and closing her hand, listening to the creak of leather as she did.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Is she havin’ a moment dere?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s what happens when you buy a woman pretty things. They’re speechless.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She glanced up, squinting at me, looking mildly insulted.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I can talk.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s a turn of phrase.” I smiled at her again, “Let’s put it all together. You need to be able to own this. This is yours. This is now you.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her eyes shimmered as I put on the other glove and then rested the felt hat on her head. I placed it at a slight angle, creating a sharp shadow over her cheek, lips, and chin from the streetlight.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“See? Stunning.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Are ya done, now?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn was leaning out the broken window, tapping on the side of his door. His impatience reminded me of a snorting bull pawing at the ground. It was best to get into the cab before his charge left us in the dust.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We navigated the darkened streets, meandering back to the highway. We passed signs showing we were within a few kilometers of the border now. I glanced at Monica.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“How do you want to play this?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She didn’t respond verbally, she just turned to me and narrowed her eyes.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Hah! I’ll try not to take it personally.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She held the expression, glaring forward. Papers clutched in her hands. I donned my role as the lovelorn buffoon. Pining at the window; rejected.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn easily slid forward into the checkpoint, his arm positioned over the seam of the broken window on approach. Dour faced Clovian guards held an open hand out and Bjorn obliged.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Papers.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn’s arm remained in place, with papers ready in his other hand. The first guard did a silent signal to the other and the inspection began.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What was your business in Clovia?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Pickin’ up dese two,” he coughed lightly, “Lovebirds.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn’s voice dropped as he spoke and the conversation remained between the two of them. I’m sure there were a few eyerolls and head shaking moments they exchanged.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Monica sat straight-backed, seething, sitting as far from me as possible. Perhaps she was taking this all too seriously? She seemed to have a well of rage she could readily tap. She spent a lot of years being looked down upon. She looked elegant in her new hat and coat, but I wasn’t quite sure if I may have created a monster in the process. How she staged her performance would be just a nudge in the right direction.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The second guard knocked on her window. She rolled down the window vigorously and thrust the papers out. The guard was put off, aggravated by her aggravation, he pulled the papers from her hands and looked them over.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What is your name?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I tensed for her response.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Mila Aleksander.” She said through clenched teeth, with a flawless Burgundian accent.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I kept the satisfied smile I was feeling to myself.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Monica then grabbed the bundle of flowers that laid on the seat between us and tossed them out the window with a cry followed shortly by the small box of chocolates. She grabbed the door handle and pressed out into the night air. I could see her heaving, one hand on her face, recovering. Then she turned back to the cab and leaned into the window. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s off!” She said, biting down on the words fiercely.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She still maintained the Burgundian accent.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The second guard alongside her had taken a step back, the hand with her papers was held up, and the other was fumbling for his weapon. The first guard rapped sharply on the roof, getting the second’s attention and I could imagine the wordless exchange over the roof.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The second guard regained his composure. His hand dropped to his revolver, but only to perch on the hilt.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Madame! Get back in the vehicle.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She paused, exhaling.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Now!”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She grappled with the door and rocked the car as she dropped heavily in her seat. The warmth of her fury spread back into the cab.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He asked some questions, but her curt monosyllabic responses masked any accent that might have slipped into her words.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The guard offered her papers back to her through the window and she snatched them back. There was some gesticulating I could see through the windows between the guards. Bjorn had his free hand to his face, shaking his head as he looked up the first guard.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was my turn. There was a tap at my window, I sluggishly rolled the window down.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Papers...”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had my papers out the window before he finished the word.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What is your name?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Bani Elkind.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What was the nature of your visit?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“To meet my,” I paused briefly, “</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">fiance </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and we are returning home to Burgundia.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Do you have anything to declare?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No. Not anymore.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Hope you find a warm place to sleep, Monsieur.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The young guard said it with a half smile tipping his lips. He held the paper toward me. I snatched them from him, and he dropped his hand to his revolver more quickly this time and thrust out a stern finger.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I glared at him and he returned the gaze with his lips pursed in a mocking gesture.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The first guard spent a little more time perusing the vehicle. His breath was clearly visible in the night air. I held my breath. It was a few moments before he seemed satisfied and waved Bjorn through, who put the vehicle into gear and accelerated through. I looked back briefly, and I saw at least one of the guards laughing at the empty border stop. If they only knew that the joke was on them.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bjorn turned his head back toward us in the stretch between checkpoints.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No theatrics on this stop, eh?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The guards on the Burgundian side took our names again, and welcomed us home. Shortly after that we were back up to full speed on the highway. Moving back to Neuchatel.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The cold wind from the window made it hard to speak in the car, but we were content to sit in silence until we returned to the safe house.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We pulled up and I saw the rag Bjorn had placed still tied to the lightpost. I stepped out, and moved around to open the door for her.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Stay safe.” Bjorn said to her.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She nodded in response.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I led her to the front door and gave the coded knock. Moments later, an older couple greeted us.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s good to see you, Mr. Bani.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The grandmotherly woman’s voice was kind and she smiled wholesomely, but did not move to engage.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Mila, come on in. Bani, I hope you have a place to stay. You know you can’t stay before you are married.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I understand.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“And here is a note for you.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He handed an envelope with the wax stamp of Nachtrichter. Official communication.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Monica moved toward the door, turned back and smiled at Bjorn, who gave a slight nod in response. She turned to me and gripped both of my hands in her black leather gloves. Her eyes spoke volumes, but all she said was, “Thank you.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her accent was back, I’d nearly forgotten about it since we approached the border.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I smiled and nodded to the elderly man and woman at the door, and turned on my heel toward the cab.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I climbed into the front seat this time then turned to Bjorn.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Want a drink? I’ll buy.”</span></p></span>Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435808207395330499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526285455094698909.post-68358849737125069522017-07-01T17:13:00.002-07:002017-07-01T17:13:35.959-07:00The BreatherAs in, the one I'm taking.<br />
<br />
Wrote <i>gobs</i> of fiction, that I wasn't too fond of, so I pulled it. This does cover my obligation for the last two day's, with a word count of over 4000.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Then I slept for twelve hours.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I think my writing schedule, along with all my other commitments, are taking their toll on me.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'll be back for more soon enough.</div>
Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435808207395330499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526285455094698909.post-2777244622531105062017-06-29T22:42:00.001-07:002017-07-03T18:09:24.802-07:00What Remains, part 9The county coroner came to the residence. There were mumbled voices interspersed with Janice's sobs. She had been inconsolable.<br />
<br />
Jim stayed in his room with the door open, listening distantly to the sounds in the front room. He felt broken, something in him had also snapped when Rachael died. But his was the knowledge that his daughter wasn't really his daughter anymore. Whatever this was that lingered over this house, over the family, had now invested his own flesh and blood.<br />
<br />
Lisa's shadow had appeared, but lingered distant and silent.<br />
<br />
The coroner collected the body with accompanied by a female assistant who appeared to know Janice. There were some consoling words, but Janice no longer spoke. The van drove away and the house was draped in a thick silence.<br />
<br />
Jim was exhausted. It had been a long day, but he wouldn't be able to sleep even if he wanted to. After staring at the ceiling for some time, and not hearing Janice move from the front room, he swung his legs off the side of the bed and stood shakily. He walked to the front room.<br />
<br />
Janice sat absolutely still in the same chair that she sat in just days earlier, inviting him into her home. He couldn't help but feel responsible, but he didn't know how.<br />
<br />
"Janice?"<br />
<br />
He waited a moment and she looked up to him, tears reddened her face, but anger was what darkened her countenance. Jim braced, feeling the anger reach toward him.<br />
<br />
"She left me. She <i>left </i>me." She bit down on the words, then tears again leaked from her eyes.<br />
<br />
Her face pinched and she bowed her head again.<br />
<br />
Jim sat across from her and rested his hand on hers. She tugged away, her hands into fists, turning white with her grip.<br />
<br />
"No, you're not going to do this." He said.<br />
<br />
He felt his tears return and he moved toward her, kneeling on the floor. He wrapped his arms around her and held her until her stiff frame relaxed, tears flowing freely.<br />
<br />
"You didn't let me go through it alone," he said, "And I won't let you."<br />
<br />
They sat in the embrace while the wall clocked ticked away. Jim withdrew.<br />
<br />
"You're a good man, Jim. Lisa was right to fall in love with you."<br />
<br />
"I'd like to think that was a little bit my fault." He said, giving a sad smile.<br />
<br />
He stood.<br />
<br />
"Let me get you some water." He said.<br />
<br />
He snatched a cup from the kitchen then moved into the bathroom. He rifled briefly through the medicine cabinet finding some ibuprofen and filled the glass. He passed, seeing Lisa standing in front of the bedroom door. It was unnerving that she was lurking like this, and it brought a chill each time he saw the shadow out of the corner of his eye.<br />
<br />
He handed the medicine and water to Janice. She took the medicine then drained the glass.<br />
<br />
"You're going to be dehydrated." He said, standing to refill the glass again.<br />
<br />
"No. Stay," She said, resting her hand on his arm, "Please sit."<br />
<br />
He looked down at her, his heart ached with her expression, it was a reflection of him. He wondered why she was so distraught. They had somehow defeated death, but that didn't seem to matter to her. She's lost her best friend.<br />
<br />
"I want to speak to you of Lisa," She said, "We knew she was special from the moment Sarah brought her home. She was born out of wedlock and her father was both dangerous and solitary. Sarah had come here to hide her daughter and herself."<br />
<br />
"Rachael and I, we took care of Lisa while Sarah found work. I couldn't understand why she wanted to be away as much as she did, but it was clear that she never saw herself as a mother. However, that gave Rachael and I a chance that we would never have for ourselves." Janice smiled at the memory.<br />
<br />
"Lisa was that, and we raised her like we would have raised our own. I like to think we helped get her where she was, maybe even helped get her to you."<br />
<br />
Jim swallowed, fighting the lump in his throat.<br />
<br />
"She was her own. She was always been a force to be reckoned with." He said.<br />
<br />
Janice smiled at his words.<br />
<br />
"Her mother's indomitable will tempered by kindness, love, and a caring home." Janice said, "I hope that was us. But it's also true that she left because of us."<br />
<br />
She sighed.<br />
<br />
"Our heartbreak was complete when news of our lovely Lisa..." She paused, her voice catching, "And it all happening so far away."<br />
<br />
Jim understood why, now, but he held the thought close.<br />
<br />
"Now, I am the last. Rachael gave up. And only I remain." She said, her eyes probing Jim's own, "Only Abigail and Daniel remain as the last of our blood."<br />
<br />
His thoughts turned. He could see Abigail reaching toward Rachael. He turned his head, avoiding the memory.<br />
<br />
"The gift you gave to Abigail. It was originally intended for Lisa, wasn't it."<br />
<br />
It wasn't a question. He said it with a quiet ache.<br />
<br />
Janice looked surprised, but did not speak.<br />
<br />
Jim read the expression, understanding what it meant. He stood looking down on Janice.<br />
<br />
"You should rest." He said, "And so should I."<br />
<br />
He moved to the hallway.<br />
<br />
"Jim. It wasn't supposed to be like this." Janice said, her eyes widening, a hint of panic creeping into her voice.<br />
<br />
He turned to face her.<br />
<br />
"Tomorrow we'll talk," he said, he felt a smolder of anger lending an edge his voice, "Then we can talk about what this means to <i>my </i>Abigail."<br />
<br />
Jim turned down the hallway and turned the corner, struggling to hold the emotion back. He pushed through the door. He dropped to the bed and began to sob. Lisa's silhouette stood at the foot of the bed.<br />
<br />
"Abigail will be fine." The shadow's voice whispered, her voice pitching uncharacteristically high.<br />
<br />
The memory of his little girl replayed in his head again, seeing her help Rachael pass to the other side and he did not feel fine.Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435808207395330499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526285455094698909.post-80274397882637538202017-06-28T22:49:00.004-07:002017-07-03T18:21:48.424-07:00What Remains, part 8Jim sat in the driveway, listening to the ticking of the engine as it cooled. The shade of Lisa was still there, her silent company was both healing and unnerving. He was afraid she would slip away, again, but as often as he'd seen her.<br />
<br />
It was almost eleven at night when they drove up, and they had sat for a moment longer, in silence, listening to the children breathe. He had the windows down and could feel the breezes picking up as the night cooled. The moon was near full, now, and it made the plains shimmer as the swaying grasses reflected the light.<br />
<br />
He looked at the attic window, then noticed pale light coming from beyond the children's room.<br />
<br />
"It's a little late for Janice and Rachael to be up." He said.<br />
<br />
"I'm not sure. It is probably Rachael, she keeps odd hours." Lisa paused, "You did shake them up a bit. If you could help them calm down, it would mean a lot to me."<br />
<br />
Jim nodded.<br />
<br />
"I'll get the kids inside," he said.<br />
<br />
He leaned into the car door and moved outside.<br />
<br />
"Oh, that's just weird." Lisa's voice murmured from the front seat.<br />
<br />
"What's weird?"<br />
<br />
There was no response.<br />
<br />
He looked through the window and Lisa had vanished. His brow furrowed and his heart sunk a little. Then he realized he should roll up the windows in case any bugs decided to make the car their home. He opened the door and the shade jumped as he sat in the seat.<br />
<br />
"Oh! You're back."<br />
<br />
"I didn't leave, you... disappeared."<br />
<br />
He turned the key to start the car, then rolled up the windows.<br />
<br />
"<i>I </i>disappeared? Huh."<br />
<br />
He opened the door again and watched the shadow as he backed out of the car, there was a moment where the cohesion of her image started to blur and all he saw was the doll sitting in the seat. He moved back in and the darkness coalesced again.<br />
<br />
She let out a yip as he moved back in.<br />
<br />
"Now <i>that </i>is scary." She breathed, "What are you doing?"<br />
<br />
He wasn't sure, but there was a tug in his memory that told him it made sense.<br />
<br />
"I'll tell you about it when I make sense of it." He paused, "So, uh, is <i>that</i> you?"<br />
<br />
He reached toward her, pressing his hand through her darkness, in response, she let a disconcerted grunt.<br />
<br />
"Please don't do that." She said with aggravation, "I feel unreal enough as it is."<br />
<br />
He gripped the doll and pulled back and Jim looked it over. On the back of the doll was a small stitched name.<br />
<br />
"Lisa." He read in the moonlight.<br />
<br />
They were silent for a moment.<br />
<br />
"It's not a very good likeness, is it." She said quietly.<br />
<br />
Jim shuddered as realization hit him.<br />
<br />
"All of the dolls? <i>All</i> of them?" He pressed his hand to his heart, feeling its tempo throbbing in his temples.<br />
<br />
"I had an interesting childhood." She said.<br />
<br />
"You sure did a good job at not saying anything about it." He said, incredulous.<br />
<br />
"Would it have made a difference? Being crazy doesn't really <i>reel in </i>the guys." She said, sullenly.<br />
<br />
He nodded at that. The reasons why she left were coming together. It made him think of how this would also affect him.<br />
<br />
"I'm afraid to take this out of the vehicle. Do you think you'll be OK?" He asked her.<br />
<br />
"It was how I got in, wasn't it?" The shade shrugged against the moonlit backdrop and Jim responded in kind.<br />
<br />
He tucked the doll under his arm and stepped out of the vehicle. He leaned in and picked up Daniel first. The boy stirred warmly against him as he moved through the night air and opened the front door. As soon as he stepped through the door and Lisa's shade appeared to meet him, standing uncomfortably by the stairway, but she said nothing.<br />
<br />
Jim moved upstairs, and saw the light from the hallways, where the Aunts kept their room. Janice's head was up and looking into the darkness of the hall and Rachael was laying back in the bed, wearing her usual nightgown.<br />
<br />
He moved quickly into the bedroom and laid Daniel down, the moved back down the hall to where Rachael lay.<br />
<br />
"Is she OK?" He asked.<br />
<br />
Janice dabbed at her eyes and looked up.<br />
<br />
"She collapsed shortly after you left. She's resting now, but I'm worried for her."<br />
<br />
He looked over her features, she seemed barely more than skin and bones. He'd noticed since the first day that she had an uncharacteristically waif-like build to her.<br />
<br />
"Is she sick?" Jim asked.<br />
<br />
Janice shrugged, but didn't elaborate.<br />
<br />
"I have to go get Abigail, she's in the car. I'll be right back."<br />
<br />
She nodded and turned back to her sister. There was a mix of emotions, but a sense of loss bubbled above them all.<br />
<br />
He unbuckled Abigail from the seat. Her dark hair spilled over her skin and the freckles that splashed across her nose and cheeks and darkened more from playing in the sun. He breathed deeply and pulled the string of her necklace up until it lay he could look at it more closely.<br />
<br />
Then slipped his hand around the stone and squeezed it. He waited for a moment, stroking the stone between his fingers, but he felt nothing untoward. He thought back to Adam, and how it nearly stopped his heart. Jim could almost believe it was coincidence, but, likely, there was more to it. He let the stone slip from his fingers and gathered Abigail from the seat.<br />
<br />
Abigail stirred.<br />
<br />
"Jim?"<br />
<br />
The word sounded odd to Jim. He looked at her, concerned, the word sent a chill down his spine.<br />
<br />
"Yes?"<br />
<br />
"Rachael needs me." She said, leaning back and looking up at me.<br />
<br />
The moonlight caught her eyes, and they appeared darker than her usual bright blue.<br />
<br />
"What can you do for her?"<br />
<br />
"Be there. That's all." She said, then pulled into me, snuggling under my chin.<br />
<br />
Jim's nerves jangled as he pushed through the front door and carried her up the stairs. She struggled a little as they neared the top and he set her down. She turned, without looking back, and put her hand to her chest. She fingered the red stone unconsciously as she down the hall toward Janice and Rachael.<br />
<br />
Janice cupped her hand over her nose and mouth and tears began to stream over her hand. She shook her head as she watched Abigail come close to the bed side.<br />
<br />
"No. Not yet." Janice said, heartbreak trembling in her voice.<br />
<br />
Jim turned at and sat at the top of the stairs, he turned and watched quietly from the darkness.<br />
<br />
Abigail spoke, but barely above a whisper, and Janice began to sob. Jim's earlier chill coalescing into goosebumps and his hands began to shake.<br />
<br />
She put her young hand over Janice's that leaned against the bed. She removed the necklace and put it into Rachael's hand and they held it together.<br />
<br />
Rachael shuddered, her form tensing for a moment. Her eyes fluttered opened and her back arched, then she slowly settled back, her eyes closing as she sunk into her bed as if she were sleeping. Jim watched for a moment. Rachael's chest was now still.<br />
<br />
There was silence until Janice's voice, sounding thin and reedy, began to wail. She dropped to her knees at the foot of the bed, gripping the quiet Rachael's feet through the sheets that lay over her.<br />
<br />
Abigail took the necklace, replaced it on her neck, then leaned into Janice, where they both shook with sobs together.<br />
<br />
Tears filled Jim's eyes, but he wasn't sure if it was for the loss of Rachael.<br />
<br />
It was now impeccably clear that whatever was in that room was <i>not</i> his daughter.Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435808207395330499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526285455094698909.post-73380919486737911622017-06-27T00:57:00.004-07:002017-06-27T16:07:38.607-07:00What Remains, part 7The sun was setting as they left the city limits. Thoughts flew through his mind. He tried to talk to Abigail, but she seethed with an intensity that made his skin crawl. His jaw tensed and he watched her in the rear view mirror. Daniel was concerned at first, but the activities of the day had worn him down and he was drawing slow, long breaths before long.<br />
<br />
He kept trying to find words, something that would reach her, but didn't know where to start. He needed to talk to someone, and she was very, very far away. He felt like he was losing his little girl.<br />
<br />
<i>Lisa would talk to him.</i><br />
<br />
He sighed.<br />
<br />
"I'm terrified, Abby." He said, looking at her through the mirror, "I need you to explain this to me."<br />
<br />
She folded her arms and looked out the window. There was a gloss to her eyes, she was nearly in tears, but she didn't budge.<br />
<br />
He watched ahead as the light began to fade as they drove. Soon, Abigail's own breath matched Daniel's in rhythm. Jim glanced back again, he could just make out that Abigail's eyes were closed and her mouth slightly open as she leaned against the door.<br />
<br />
Jim reached back and put his hand on her knee, squeezing it gently. He then reached behind the seat and did the same to Daniel. He bumped something on the way back, gripped it and looked at it. It was the doll the Aunts had sent along with Abigail.<br />
<br />
"You want to ride with me, girl? You can take the front seat here." He said quietly, with a weary smile, "Maybe you'll talk to me?"<br />
<br />
He positioned the doll in a sitting position. He was considering putting a seat belt on her, but felt that'd put everyone in more danger than the role play would be worth.<br />
<br />
"It's just you and me." He said to the darkness.<br />
<br />
"Just you and me." Lisa's voice repeated.<br />
<br />
He caught his breath with surprise and the steering wheel wobbled.<br />
<br />
"Steady, cowboy." She said carefully, "No point in having me die twice."<br />
<br />
"Lisa. What the hell." Jim's eyes widened forward and his jaw clenched.<br />
<br />
"C'mon, Jim. Language."<br />
<br />
"They're asleep anyway," Jim hissed.<br />
<br />
"Yes, which is good because we need to talk."<br />
<br />
He grimaced, he flicked his eyes toward the passenger seat. The silhouette was there, but the glow of the dashboard didn't touch her. The fear from last night, the fear of seeing something he didn't want to, began to slowly subside, but it didn't stop him from trembling.<br />
<br />
"OK, we need to talk. But first, how do I know I'm not going crazy?"<br />
<br />
She chuckled dryly.<br />
<br />
"Oh, there's no easy way to make sense of this. Hell, I didn't realize you'd be so flighty." She said, sounding disappointed.<br />
<br />
"Language, Lisa." He said instinctively, "And you were always worse about that then I was."<br />
<br />
"Your words."<br />
<br />
Her response caught him off guard. Emotion was building in his chest with the banter. Tears began to fill his eyes, but he was smiling. He let out a sob-lined laugh.<br />
<br />
"Oh, Lisa, I miss you. I miss you so much." He choked out the words, then ran his hand over his face, but the smile remained.<br />
<br />
"Hey, stop it. I'm sitting right here."<br />
<br />
There was humor in her voice, but it was also touched with emotion.<br />
<br />
"Then, explain it. Because I lost you and I'm devastated and there's no coming back." He said, his smile fading.<br />
<br />
She sighed, the sound coming through the darkness.<br />
<br />
"I tried be subtle, but it just threw you off." She said, "So, this is the direct approach."<br />
<br />
"That doesn't explain anything." Jim said, bemused.<br />
<br />
"No, but it explains me. And I want you to know that I had no intention of hurting you and I'm sorry if I did."<br />
<br />
Jim nodded. His emotional palette was painting with all the colors, leaving purple and brown puddles of chaos. He breathed deep, trying to arrange the incredulous with the implausible.<br />
<br />
"No, you haven't. You didn't." He paused, "And ... I don't really know what to say."<br />
<br />
There was a visible shrug against the moonlit plains outside of the car.<br />
<br />
They sat in silence for a moment. Headlights from an oncoming car bathed the cab for a moment. Jim risked another look and saw that the light did not reflect.<br />
<br />
"I know. It's weird." She said.<br />
<br />
"Yet, you're doing it."<br />
<br />
"Being it. Doing it is something else."<br />
<br />
Jim suppressed a laugh.<br />
<br />
"No, no. C'mon, Jim."<br />
<br />
He could almost hear her rolling her eyes.<br />
<br />
"No, being whatever this is, what I am. I literally have no idea how it works." She said, sounding exasperated, "There are times I can see you. I can, uh, for lack of a better word, <i>manifest.</i>"<br />
<br />
"Was that you in the barn?" Jim asked.<br />
<br />
Silence.<br />
<br />
"Lisa?"<br />
<br />
"Oh, sorry, I was nodding."<br />
<br />
"You were in the barn, and that was about an hour after I arrived. What do you remember?"<br />
<br />
She let out an exasperated sound.<br />
<br />
"OK, let me rephrase, I don't know why it works. But how it works...?" Her voice tapered off.<br />
<br />
"But ... what?"<br />
<br />
"Jim, maybe this is too quick."<br />
<br />
"What do you mean?"<br />
<br />
"Coming to terms with this reality, whatever <i>this </i>is." She sounded unsure, "I know how you are. You want to know everything, <i>right now</i>. I think we need to take our time with this."<br />
<br />
Jim sighed and shook his head.<br />
<br />
"The more I understand, the more I know," his head bobbed erratically as he searched for the words, "Perhaps the less crazy and less scared I'll feel?"<br />
<br />
"But you might not like how this all works."<br />
<br />
He contemplated that, then spoke.<br />
<br />
"You'd only say that because there's something you <i>know</i> I wouldn't like about it."<br />
<br />
"Yes and no," She said carefully, "And not for why you'd think."<br />
<br />
"Wow, took the long road around that one?" He said, rolling his eyes.<br />
<br />
"How about this," She said, letting the words hang as she mulled over the thought, "What would you consider 'evil'?"<br />
<br />
"Did I hear air quotes in there?"<br />
<br />
"Jim. Really. What do you consider evil?"<br />
<br />
"Anything that intentionally hurts others," he thought for a moment, "And, uh, enjoys it?"<br />
<br />
"Then, what do you think of when you think witches?"<br />
<br />
Jim paused.<br />
<br />
"Are your Aunts witches?"<br />
<br />
"No... not as much."<br />
<br />
"Then, what the hell, Lisa? Just say it."<br />
<br />
"And you said I was bad."<br />
<br />
"Just. Say. It." Jim said pointedly, getting frustrated.<br />
<br />
"You read June's journal, right?"<br />
<br />
"Yes, but only a little bit." He said with a shrug.<br />
<br />
"You only <i>needed </i>to read a little of it."<br />
<br />
"I'm not sure," Jim said, confused then thought of his walk, "Wait, is this that 'piece of them' thing."<br />
<br />
"Yeah, what did you think about that?"<br />
<br />
"Yes. Wait, you can't read my mind or anything, can you?"<br />
<br />
There was silence, but he swore the shadow glowered at him.<br />
<br />
"It's a no, then." He stated.<br />
<br />
"No. I can't read your mind." She sighed heavily, "This is not a superpower."<br />
<br />
He nodded and fell into quiet thought. She made a polite noise then spoke again.<br />
<br />
"So, then, what did you think of that?" She asked, prodding.<br />
<br />
"Well, I didn't think much of it at the time. At first I thought it was just oddly phrased. it was eerie. Then I remembered the lock of your hair." He swallowed hard and then continued, "And Missy's."<br />
<br />
There was a moment of silence.<br />
<br />
"I saw her." She said, emotion catching her again, "Missy. She's beautiful."<br />
<br />
Jim grip on the steering wheel tensed again.<br />
<br />
"Sweetie, this is why we should probably ease into this." She spoke after a moment, filling the silence.<br />
<br />
"So, you're saying your Aunts have something to do with you being here. They're not <i>witches</i> but they know how to do <i>this</i>. Whatever <i>this</i> is."<br />
<br />
"Pretty much." She said simply.<br />
<br />
He looked in the back seat again. Abigail sat, listening, she glanced up at the review mirror meeting his eyes. Jim's eyes widened with panic.<br />
<br />
"They knew before you did." Lisa said, "The children. Well, not exactly <i>before</i>, but they had accepted it and weren't nearly as distraught as you were when I visited them. Probably one of those drawbacks of being old."<br />
<br />
"Maybe we should take this slow, after all," Jim said with a sigh.<br />
<br />
"I know it's against your very nature, but it might be best we did." She said softly, "I don't want to lose you again."<br />
<br />
He nodded, his chest tightening with her words. He reached over and put his hand tentatively out to hold Lisa's. There was a coolness that pooled around his skin, and he looked over with a pained expression, seeing his hand engulfed in the eddying darkness.<br />
<br />
"I'm going to miss your touch." He said quietly, his heart slowly breaking.<br />
<br />
"Me, too." She whispered.Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435808207395330499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526285455094698909.post-44524323673146640662017-06-26T22:59:00.001-07:002017-06-27T22:37:27.004-07:00What Remains, part 6The entry of the store was a typical pawn shop. One wall with a wire mesh cage contained numerous firearms ranging from lever action 30/30 with highly intricate scrollwork to modern high impact plastic designs.<br />
<br />
"Welcome to Wyoming." Jim said to himself with a chuckle.<br />
<br />
He had a child holding each hand, Abigail looked up to him, then at the guns.<br />
<br />
"That's a <i>lot</i> of guns." She said with a knowing nod.<br />
<br />
"Don't I know it." Jim said.<br />
<br />
He made a short laugh, then began to look around then got down to his children's level.<br />
<br />
"OK, here's how it goes. You can look, but you can't touch. If you find something you like, come get me and we'll look at it," he said, letting go of their hands, "Got it?"<br />
<br />
They both looked up at him shaking their heads, eyes wide.<br />
<br />
"And, Daniel, I'm watching! The limit is five dollars for each of you." He called to them as they began to look through the long building.<br />
<br />
A tall, whiplike man watched the exchange with a craggy smile. He leaned forward on the counter and looked up at Jim.<br />
<br />
"Does that work?"<br />
<br />
"Surprisingly well, actually. Set expectations, the rest will follow." Jim said, shrugging.<br />
<br />
"It's an enterprising idea. Wish we all got here with a similar set of instructions. Maybe we'd do as well." The man said with a fatherly smile.<br />
<br />
A moment passed and Jim watched the children track separately for a second then Abigail called out to Daniel and they both ooo'd and ahh'd at her discovery. I was suddenly wary, and gave the man a sidelong look.<br />
<br />
The man waved his hand dismissively. He had long gray hair capped with white fringes. It looked like he wore a hat often, but now his hair just looked hat shaped. His eyebrows and mustache matched the long feathered hair, but his chin was bare and he had a button of a dimple right in the middle.<br />
<br />
He was, quite possibly, the most manly looking man he'd seen in a very long time.<br />
<br />
"I take it you aren't here for a gun." He said.<br />
<br />
Without waiting for an answer, he moved from behind the gun counter and set across the store. Sweat dampened the shirt between his shoulder blades. The store was using cooled using an evaporative fan and was doing a passable job, but certain areas were warmer than others.<br />
<br />
They reached the other counter, further back in the store. He beckoned Jim with a wave of his hand and moved to a glass case. He settled into the same forward lean, his hands on the metal edge of the display case.<br />
<br />
"You just have that look about you." He said thoughtfully, then added, "And you looked at those guns with wonder, not need."<br />
<br />
"Many people come in here <i>needing</i> a gun?" Jim asked.<br />
<br />
"Not often, but sometimes. I have had most of those guns for a very long time and people usually work in trade, not cash." He said, nodding at the caged case, "I've had some of those guns before."<br />
<br />
"Huh," Jim said, with a smile, "Like a library for guns?"<br />
<br />
The man nodded, pointing a finger of agreement at Jim and said, "Exactly."<br />
<br />
"Now these," he pointed at the case, "These are unique. No stone is the same."<br />
<br />
Jim looked at the arranged stones. There were pebble sized rounded stones of turquoise, smooth cut agates, highly polished crystals, palm sized geodes that sparkled with purple and white. The display case was absolutely full of stunning treasures. Each price tag had Jim gulp slightly. The palm sized geodes, had a small tag showing one hundred and fifteen.<br />
<br />
Abigail said something that set Daniel to giggling. I stood up and watched them for a moment. then turned back to the display case.<br />
<br />
"Is that a bloodstone, right there?" Jim said, pointing to a polished green stone with flashes of red, "I don't usually see them with the red. I guess that's why they call them bloodstones?"<br />
<br />
"Especially if you're color blind." The man said dryly.<br />
<br />
Jim let out a surprise laugh. Then put his hand to his mouth, subduing his own mirth.<br />
<br />
"This is an odd side business you have, here." Jim said, looking at the grizzled man, "A tad schizophrenic."<br />
<br />
"You do what you know, then you do what you love. If you can do them both, you'll be a happy man." He said.<br />
<br />
"And you love rocks."<br />
<br />
He cringed a bit at the words.<br />
<br />
"You can get rocks over at the gravel pit. These are <i>stones</i>." He said, "Pawn and Stone, after all. We just made the 'and' <i>really </i>small. The wife said it would be clever."<br />
<br />
"And you agreed, I'm sure." Jim said with a smile.<br />
<br />
"Oh yes, and you'd know why." He said, looking at my wedding ring.<br />
<br />
A pang hit Jim's heart and stomach at the same time. The man looked at his eyes and saw the shift, but he didn't turn away or change the subject. He regarded Jim for a moment, then nodded.<br />
<br />
The children giggled again, and it gave Jim an opportunity to seek them out. He felt vulnerable.<br />
<br />
"What are you guys doing?"<br />
<br />
They still giggled. Daniel was looking incredibly shy, but Abigail was pointing at a Zippo lighter with a topless girl on it. Then she looked up at him and silently mouthed the word, "Boobs!"<br />
<br />
Jim ran his hand over his face, suppressing a laugh, then rolled his eyes.<br />
<br />
"Come on, you need to see this." He said, "They have <i>stones</i> here."<br />
<br />
They both followed him over and he positioned them in front of the counter. They were his own little counter-adult shields. He began to focus them in on the various stones in the case.<br />
<br />
"See, that's a bloodstone." Jim said to Abigail, then turned to the man, "Sir?"<br />
<br />
The man looked at Jim, incredulous.<br />
<br />
"Name's Adam." He said, waving his hand in front of him, then chuckled to himself, "Heh. Sir."<br />
<br />
"Hello Adam, anything you can tell me about this stone?" Jim said.<br />
<br />
He lifted the jeweled necklace from Abigail and she yelped and grabbed at it. Her eyes were wide with panic.<br />
<br />
"Honey, I'm just... letting him see it." He was fending of her hands snatching at the necklace, "Hey, stop, it's just..."<br />
<br />
She howled, infuriated and thrashing. He got an arm around her and held her close until she stopped struggling. Her heart was racing under his grasp, and she panted, eyes fixed on it. He put the necklace on the counter out of reach of Abigail and nodded to Adam.<br />
<br />
"He's just going to tell us what it is, honey," Jim said, exasperated and still holding her fast, "What's gotten into you?"<br />
<br />
"Very pretty, very even coloring. It doesn't look like a stone, though. It looks organic, like amber, but, ya know, more red." He said.<br />
<br />
Adam lifted a magnifying glass and slid a piece of white paper under it allowing the light to reflect through the stone. After looking at the edges and focusing on the core of it, he touched the stone.<br />
<br />
In a heartbeat, the man drew his hand back with a jerk and let the magnifying glass clatter to the display case. He sat up, gulping for air and rubbing his hand where he'd touched Abigail's stone. He stared at it, beads of sweat springing up on his forehead. Jim's grip loosened on Abigail and she darted forward, snatching the stone from the counter and bolted to the front door. Daniel looked confused and called after her, then quickly followed her.<br />
<br />
Jim watched his children leaving and looked to the shaken man. He could hear the door open and slam as Abigail ran out to the car.<br />
<br />
"Wait, I need to talk to you. I need to..." Jim said, his head bobbed between his children and the man, then he bolted toward the exit.<br />
<br />
He burst from the shop and ran out to the car. Abigail was wearing the necklace again, shaking, and then turned, scowling at her father. He felt his heart shudder with the look. Daniel made his way to the opposite door and got settled in his booster seat. Jim opened the driver side door, started the car, and cranked the air conditioner.<br />
<br />
"Stay here," He said, gulping with a mounting fear, "Please, don't ... don't touch anything."<br />
<br />
He ran back to the store. Adam had made his way to the front of the store. He stood by the door. Keys were in his hand. Jim pushed the door and the man held up his hand.<br />
<br />
"I'm going to close up." He said.<br />
<br />
Jim was dumbfounded.<br />
<br />
"But I need to understand what's going on!" Jim shouted, then quickly backtracked, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I don't mean to yell."<br />
<br />
The man shook his head slowly for a moment, looking introspective. He took a deep breath and checked his pulse briefly.<br />
<br />
"Stones have power. You could say that each stone has a specialty." He said slowly, "Stones can pick up certain vibrations and patterns, some would even say that can store energy, or catch thoughts."<br />
<br />
"What does any of that mean?" Jim said, his brow furrowed.<br />
<br />
"Well, stones pick up the energy around it, but that doesn't only apply to stones. It can apply to old buildings, books, containers, things that have a certain structure, a place for energy to reside. While <i>that </i>isn't a stone, it's something with structure that I ... hadn't experienced before. Not sure what it is. But whatever it is, it's not for you, and definitely not for me. It's hers." He bobbed his head toward Abigail in the car.<br />
<br />
Jim's shoulders slumped.<br />
<br />
"I have a heart condition." Adam replied, "It isn't in the best shape, and that did a number on me. I know you have questions, but, son, I wouldn't have any good answers."<br />
<br />
Jim slipped through the door.<br />
<br />
"Good luck." Adam said, that melancholy touched his face again and he nodded.<br />
<br />
The lock slid into place.Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435808207395330499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526285455094698909.post-14884111406991891472017-06-25T23:00:00.001-07:002017-06-26T20:57:41.405-07:00What Remains, part 5<div>
The bustle of the mornings activities were well underway when he finally walked in through the front door. Jim was on the ragged edge. An eerie pressure settle back on his shoulders as he walked through the door. The fear he'd been fighting all night had turned into a smolder of anger.<br />
<br />
His eyes moved between the Aunts.<br />
<br />
"I'm not sure what's going on here," his eyes were draw and his jaw flexed, "But I think you do."<br />
<br />
"Jim, did you not sleep well?" Rachael spoke, stepping forward with a sincere look of concern.<br />
<br />
"No. I did not."<br />
<br />
"I'm sorry to hear that." Janice said with an edge, responding to my sharp response.<br />
<br />
"I don't know what it is, but this feels like a trap," he said, after a moment, "It feels <i>wrong</i>."<br />
<br />
Rachael swallowed hard, but Janice's face remained blank.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"I can't stay here. I... I need to go." He said, gruffly, "I'm taking the kids into town."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Rachael looked irrationally hurt while Janice looked almost hostile. She narrowed her eyes at Jim, but he returned a hard look as a challenge.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"C'mon kids," Jim said, trying to keep his tone light, "We're going to explore a bit and get some breakfast in town."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Daniel smiled, but Abigail hesitated. Turning toward the aunts. Janice nodded in response to the look. Jim suddenly felt a bone deep hurt, Abigail was in on it. He clenched his jaw then held a hand toward Abigail, beckoning.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Janice recovered, gaining her footing.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"You shouldn't explore without snacks," she said, her voice shifting to be more lively following Rachael's usual cadence, "Let's send you off with some water and perhaps some trail mix?"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Why not?" Rachael tried to respond cheerily, but her guilelessness amplified her sudden pain.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Jim knew there was something going on, but felt it was all way above his head. Maybe Abigail could shed some light on what felt so wrong, since she seemed to be in on it. Perhaps this was what drove Lisa so far away? Something that seemed so perfect was a well framed manipulation.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Jim moved into the room where he'd slept and a chill ran over him. They must have thought he was still asleep or the bed would have been made. The leather journals were on the bedside table, too. He pulled out the cardboard box he'd brought the journals down with and secreted them away. He'd have to return them later.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He stepped out of the room and shut the door behind him. Rachael was in the far room of the hall, folding a blanket over and over again. She glanced his direction and their eyes met for a second. She looked back down to the blanket quickly, looking sheepish.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He took long steps into to the hallway, then turned left.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"C'mon kids. I am not going to ask twice. " Jim said loudly as he pushed through the front door.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Daniel teetered with a glass bottle full of water and a bag of granola. He had a small knapsack that they'd tossed on him, but hadn't managed to fill in the time. The boy looked adorable in the over sized bag. The thought softened Jim slightly, but anger flared up again as Abigail lagged at the door, likely being fed words by the aunts. It infuriated him.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She came out wielding nothing but a doll. Jim's brow furrowed. She had never even liked dolls. And she was too old to be carrying one. The aunts came to the door and waved briefly as he spun the car around and pulled away in the the early morning light.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The dirt road gave way to paved and soon they were cruising South down a two lane highway toward the town of Afton.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Miles passed before Jim started to feel a certain clarity set in. The tension drained from him and his hands held loosely to the steering wheel. He hadn't been aware of angry he was until he started recognizing the beauty around him. He began to point it out to the children, calling out birds, horses, and the frequent roadkill.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Daniel engaged, his eyes watching the endless march of fence poles flit past the cars. Abigail looked tense, her grip on the doll was suffocating and the red stone was just visible from under her shirt. She looked him in the eyes through the rear-view mirror, her facing holding an unreadable expression.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Abigail?" I asked, "What's up?"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Her gaze didn't waver. She played a loose shrug.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"I just needed to be somewhere else," I said, with a pained smile, "I think I am beginning to understand how mom felt."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Abigail looked hurt, by that, "I like it there."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"I'm sure you do." I said, somberly, "I'm sure you do."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Mountains, fields, and the occasional passing car offered a distraction. There were dozens of ranches and small clusters of houses the lie just off the road. Some properties held a variety of gutted cars while others were neatly maintained farmhouses. Big agriculture business likely made being a local farmer unlikely. Most of what he was seeing, he expected, were likely people who had retired and continued as they saw fit.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The sun crested the mountains as they turned into the valley that overlooked the quaint town. Small clusters of houses gave way to industrial buildings and the speed limit began to drop as the same highway they came in on turned into the main street.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The first place that looked like a diner felt a bit more commercial than Jim was expecting and it left him feeling a touch dissatisfied. They ordered their food and he sipped at the coffee. Daniel was drawing on the place mat with a marker while Abigail avoided her father's gaze.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"What did they tell you, Abby?"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She shrugged again and Jim shook his head.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"That doesn't work for me. You need to tell me what's going on. I am tempted to call off this whole trip." He said, the heat coming back to his face.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Abigail was young, sure, but he'd talked to both of his kids like adults since they started to communicate. Daniel was still a bit early, but Abigail responded to challenges with a spirited tongue. He could see her working out what to say and waited patiently, sipping coffee.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"They want us to stay. They miss mom and they want to get to know us." Abigail said, with some struggle.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"I get that, but there's more going on. I can feel it pulling at me every time I walk into the house," he said, scrunching up his shoulders, then leaned his head forward, "And for some reason, I think you know. What is going on?"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There was a glimmer of fear in her eyes, her grip on the doll loosened. Then her eyes sparkled fiercely.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"They're afraid you're going to take us away from them." She said, her usual self now peeking through, "They have a gift for you, but it's a surprise and it won't be ready for another couple of days."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Jim's mouth drew into a tight line and he thought for a moment.</div>
<br />"I wish this secret didn't feel like something they were doing <i>to </i>me instead of something they are doing <i>for </i>me." He mused, mostly to himself.<br /><br /><div>
Abigail nodded, she wore a weary look of consternation; a look that didn't fit her child's face.<br />
<br />
"Two more days," Jim said, "Then we say our goodbyes."<br />
<br />
At that point, he let it go, feeling that the decision was now a weight off of his shoulders.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Jim drove around the small town after they finished up at the diner. As they drove, he would use them as a way to gauge his own interest. Daniel would give a thumbs up or a thumbs down and Abigail relaxed and got in on the game, too. Everything was more fun when they were having fun, anyway.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Jim eyed a pawn shop, and nearly dismissed it until he saw that they had a large display of cut rocks and gemstones.<br />
<br />
"You guys want to look at some pretty rocks?" Jim asked.<br />
<br />
Both Abigail and Daniel gave an excited thumbs up.</div>
Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435808207395330499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526285455094698909.post-37301012142455821232017-06-24T22:58:00.002-07:002017-06-26T18:19:04.949-07:00What Remains, part 4Jim awoke with a start.<br />
<br />
Something had touched his hand. He sat in the darkness for a moment, his heart pounding. He looked around groggily, seeing the well kept room. It took him a moment to remember where he was. Moonlight pressed against the curtains and bathed the room a soft, blue light. He moved his hand and felt one of the leather bound journals, it must have slipped down and bumped his hand. With a calming breath, he reached for the light.<br />
<br />
"Don't, Jim." Lisa's voice slid from the darkness, quiet and almost breathless.<br />
<br />
He paused. His pulsed raced, with both mind and heart giving different suggestions. It took everything for him to return to his position, laying back against the pillows. He chanced a look and the silhouette was there, just like in years past. Her shadowing laying in bed, facing him in the darkness.<br />
<br />
He took a deep breath and let it out, his voice shaking.<br />
<br />
There was a warm, familiar chuckle.<br />
<br />
"So dramatic. One of many things I was ... that I <i>am</i> fond of about you."<br />
<br />
While it had been a statement, the thought ended like a question. It made the hair stand up on Jim's neck. He couldn't think of what to say, any words he attempted got caught in his throat.<br />
<br />
"I'm <i>new</i> to this. I've seen it from your side. But this," She said, her voice thoughtful, "This is very strange. I'm not sure how it works."<br />
<br />
He carefully pulled the journals from his lap and began setting them on the bedside as quietly as possible, wondering if the voice would fade or the apparition would disappear if he made a noise. There was no motion from the shadow, just her voice.<br />
<br />
<i>What would I see if could? Her lifeless with sunken eyes? Her emaciated form, ravaged by cancer?</i><br />
<br />
His thoughts ran wild. They made him tremble again. Tears began to form in his eyes.<br />
<br />
"Oh, no, Sweetie," she said, her voice suddenly caught with emotion, "I didn't meant to upset you. I thought it was time. I thought I could..."<br />
<br />
Silence blanketed the room as he began to weep. To hear her voice was everything, but he couldn't comprehend what he was experiencing. It had been wonderful, but now the implications were unsettling. Talking to himself or, perhaps...<br />
<br />
He wouldn't let himself complete the thought. He pressed his hand to his chest, trying to press out the grief that was driving this. He dared not look toward the sound of her voice. It cut him open every time he heard it.<br />
<br />
After a moment of silence, he chanced a look back and the shadow was gone.<br />
<br />
"Lisa." He whispered, then pressed his hands to his face.<br />
<br />
Tears rolled over his fingers and scattered down his clothes. He had fallen asleep just after putting the children down for a nap. He rested on the comforter, his shoes and socks sat loosely by the bed.<br />
<br />
Swallowing hard, he looked around again. None of the shadows looked out of place. He finally reached over and thumbed on the light. It hurt his eyes for a moment, but now everything was in focus. He swung his legs out and leaned over the bed, resting his right hand on his face.<br />
<br />
Time passed as shuddering sobs rocked through him until they began to slowly subside. That pressure reset itself again. He wiped his hands down his face, feeling both heartbroken and frustrated.<br />
<br />
Jim looked to the journals, trying to remember what he'd read. His head was full of thoughts, but he needed a distraction, a focal point to shake whatever had gripped him. He was well rested and doubt he could even attempt to sleep, much less what for his mind to spin yet another tale.<br />
<br />
He put on his shoes and crept to the door. The floor creaked with each step, but not another soul in the house stirred. He pulled the door gently and a note fell from the door jamb.<br />
<br />
<i>You looked comfortable. Janice and I took care of the children. Rest well.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
There was a artfully penned capital R at the bottom of the note. He rubbed his fingers across the paper and nodded, thankful. His eyes narrowed and he looked at the script R. It resembled the flowery A journal addressed to Abigail in the trunk upstairs. There was a twinge, but he couldn't understand why it unnerved him as it did.<br />
<br />
He moved toward the kitchen then slipped out the back. The moon waxing, last night was the half moon. With the lack of light pollution in the area, it was surprisingly bright and he had no issues seeing the wide prairie around him. The stars were magnificent, he felt he could likely see just as clearly if the moon hadn't been out at all. He crunched down the drive to the road. Then paused to decide which way he would go. He turned North and began to walk.<br />
<br />
It was an unconscious thing for him, to walk and think. Moments like these, he would collect his thoughts and walk for miles. All of his most important ideas had come from this exercise. Out here, it was a vastly different environment, but the process was the same. Crickets blended with the breezes. When the breezes lulled, the warmth from the surrounding land would rise up again. The world appeared calm; with everything drenched in the wholesome blue light from the moon.<br />
<br />
Jim recalled what he'd read from June's journals. Reading through the diaries was difficult in many ways. Her education was thin, at best, making it difficult to grasp what she was saying. The dates were clear, however. A series of dates from the 1850s dotted a few of the more comprehensible pages.<br />
<br />
The first of the numbers were when she had immigrated from England with her family. There were some other dates with month and year that were associated with names. It was some time before Jim realized that these were death dates. There were state names scribbled in, which took some time sounding out. Illinois being the most difficult to decipher.<br />
<br />
June's writing became clearer, more thought out just after this. She began to write complete thoughts and her spelling became better. There were descriptions of the days activities and, while brief, notes on her disposition. A man entered her writings, his name was Roane, then a child, then both were lost. She went through a dark time, writing infrequent and anguished entries.<br />
<br />
Jim sighed, and stopped walking. It fallen in line with Lisa's own experience. She'd been terrified after Missy died, clingy and wanting. It was disconcerting, since Lisa was so very independent then immediately wanting me closer, to stay home from business trips, and from driving long distances. It now made sense, like she had been curse with her family's own past.<br />
<br />
And it made sense why she found old self after Abigail was born; then Daniel came along. It broke the past that held her in an icy grip. He nodded with the comprehension, feeling like he had worked out what he needed to. She had shrugged off June's legacy.<br />
<br />
He felt he'd walked nearly three miles by then. He looked up at the moon on it's way to the horizon, then turned on his heel and began walking back the Aunts' house. Shadows flit by at the edges of his vision. The road itself seemed to churn and crawl at a distance and the motion deeply unsettled him. He was sure it was an artifact of the moonlight and the residual heat rising from the sun-baked ground, but he wasn't sure of much anymore.<br />
<br />
June's sadness crept into him, though. She had mentioned keeping a piece of Roane and her lost daughter with her. The phrasing was odd and it brought an odd thought, but then he thought of the locks of hair that Lisa had placed in her own journal; one from Missy and one from herself. Jim thought about it and wondered if this had been a fixture in their family?<br />
<br />
Jim always felt that loss was a fact of life. Whatever you gained, you eventually would lose. To him, it didn't make sense to hold all of this. Forgetting and being forgotten was just the way things were; life as he knew it. Death is what it is and, while you didn't have to like it, you had to accept it. For those before you, for those around you, and eventually for yourself. Fighting it was a fools errand, to say the least. But everyone had the ability to go gracefully and Jim was willing to take that for himself when the time came.<br />
<br />
It was a hollow perspective as he wasn't a religious man. Yet he could see that satisfaction that came from belief in things that would persist past death. The hope of a continuous path where experiences were saved from the past and brought forward so that it would never be lost. Protecting the past from the future. Keeping experience from dissolving through hundreds, thousands, or millions of years.<br />
<br />
From a long ways off, he saw a light on in the attic window. He turned down the drive to the house, the crunch of the rocks echoing distantly from the house. The light flickered like a candle and it made him shiver. It hadn't been there when he left, he was certain that he'd turned to look at the house when he walked away.<br />
<br />
Was he certain? A flickering flame in that attic could spell trouble and he began to move more quickly toward the house.<br />
<br />
Then the light went out and the window went dark.<br />
<br />
He caught his breath and goosebumps rolled over his body. He stood, looking up at the window, then sat down in the dirt driveway next to his car. He watched, quietly, each disturbing thought danced in his mind, but he refused to acknowledge them.<br />
<br />
Jim sat in the driveway until the sun began to lighten the sky.Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435808207395330499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526285455094698909.post-53792850282453460302017-06-23T18:34:00.004-07:002017-06-26T20:55:21.333-07:00What Remains, part 3Jim woke with a start, his heart racing.<br />
<br />
"Lisa." He said, his voice cracked with sleep.<br />
<br />
It was light outside, sun shining full through the windows. The house was warming quickly with the sun's rays and Jim found himself sweating even with a single layer top sheet. He tossed the sheet to the side and picked his clothes from the floor and groggily put them on. He felt as if he was trying to recall a dream, but was having a hard time bringing it back to focus.<br />
<br />
He stood and moved toward the door, but then froze, looking back at the mess he'd made of the bed and sighed. He loosely pulled the blankets up and flopped them back into place, tucking here and there to give the appearance of being made.<br />
<br />
He grimaced as he looked at his half measure of effort from a distance, leaning to and fro, before deflating in disappointment and walking out of the room.<br />
<br />
Breakfast was served with cracked wheat pancakes, thick cut ham, and eggs. The sisters provided maple flavored jellies that they spread over the pancakes with a knife. The kids were especially riled. Jim felt ready to face them as a father again.<br />
<br />
Jim spent the morning exploring the area with Daniel and Abby. They set out through the fields first where he showed them the barn he'd stayed in earlier. He felt closer to being himself than he had for some time. Perhaps even before he'd lost their mother and she was struggling under her fight with cancer. There were still moments where Abigail paused with a distant sadness, but it slowly faded under the bright sunlight.<br />
<br />
After exploring the immediate grounds, they jumped in the car and drove for a bit. Jim sat, enjoying the car's air conditioning. His eye's sparkled as he saw the ditches that ran along the sides of the road. They were filled with water from the irrigation fed into the neighboring farms.<br />
<br />
Around mid-afternoon they came home, soaked and exhausted. Jim shook his head as he looked at the sunburned children and spent some time with a washcloth, cooling their sun touched skin then putting lotion on them. He hoped that he'd gotten to it in time.<br />
<br />
They'd missed their usual afternoon nap, so he quickly stripped them down in the bathroom and followed them to their room. It was the first time he'd seen it. He wondered whose stayed in this room all those years ago. He looked around at the decor and found it similar enough to his own space, but with a much smaller bed. Abigail and Daniel were content to share. The house was warm, but with the shades pulled, it gave the illusion of being cooler than it was. A standing metal fan helped by pushing a calm breeze over the bed.<br />
<br />
While they settled in, Jim took a seat near their bedside and picked up a book that sat there on the table. It was a leather-bound journal. He'd almost mistaken it for Lisa's, but this one was well worn, and the pages bulged with use.<br />
<br />
He thumbed at the leather strap and opened it up. On the introductory page, in a controlled, but unpracticed hand was the name...<br />
<br />
"Abigail," he whispered to himself.<br />
<br />
Lisa had chosen the name for their daughter because of her ancestor. It was strange to have such a direct connection as what sat in his hand. He ran his hand over the thick parchment paper, tracing the curves of the name with his finger. He started to open the book further when he heard quick footsteps coming up the stairs and the straight-backed Janice walked in.<br />
<br />
"Oh, that's where that went." She said, catching her breath.<br />
<br />
"Were you looking for this?" Jim said, speaking in a hushed tone, closing the book and thumbing the strap back into place, "Lisa talked about Abigail a lot."<br />
<br />
He held the book in his hands, the looked up at the expectant Janice.<br />
<br />
"You'd think she'd met her, as much as she'd said about her, but she was..." He paused for a moment, searching for less painful words, "She was <i>gone </i>before Lisa was born?"<br />
<br />
Janice's lips with compressed into a thin line, she nodded and reached toward Jim with an upturned hand. He handed it to her, but was pained to do so.<br />
<br />
"Yes. It was a very long time ago." She said, visibly relaxing with the book.<br />
<br />
She looked to the children and the straight line of her lips turned into a smile. Janice held the journal in front of her, rocking on her heels like a young woman with her school books. There was a moment of silence.<br />
<br />
"Our family comes from a painful history." She said quietly, her eyes moving over the room before settling on Jim, "Come with me. This is a history as important to you as it is to us. You are part of our family, after all."<br />
<br />
Jim stood up from the chair quietly. The children had lulled to sleep and did not stir. He stepped from the room and followed Janice. At the far side of the hallway, he could see Rachael, still in her nightgown a noon, brushing her long hair. She looked incredibly thin. She looked up and him and smiled, her eyes sparkled.<br />
<br />
Jim returned the smile.<br />
<br />
"Here." Janice said, pointed up at the ceiling.<br />
<br />
There was an inset panel with a thick string hanging from it. The string itself was bound to the wall to keep it from hanging in the middle of the hallway. She unwound it and pulled down with some effort. The door swung down and a retracted set of steps revealed themselves. She carefully folded them out, being silent so as to not wake the children.<br />
<br />
He immediately felt the heat from the opening and grimaced. The sun baked the roof, turning the attic into something of an oven. Janice led the way and Jim followed with his misgivings.<br />
<br />
Light from the East facing window lit the attic easily. Recent cardboard boxes gave way to wooden trunks and footlockers painted a military green. Some of the footlockers were yet older, plain oak with riveted leather bound edges. The hand painted numbers and names were worn away and illegible.<br />
<br />
Jim trembled in spite of the heat. He saw nearly two dozen dolls, boys and girls, and varying levels of quality set up in a semi-circle, just out of the sun. Half a dozen toy soldiers made from folded metal, lacquered, and painted were in a pile in the vicinity. Remnants of where Abigail and Daniel had played the night before.<br />
<br />
He felt his own children's excitement in this place. The thrill of discovery, wanting to upend boxes and see all that he could see. His family felt like they had left all their cultural history behind, firmly planted in the present. He knew very little about his own grandparents much less his parents. They had left no story, no real legacy. It made him wonder about the future he would leave for his own.<br />
<br />
"This is our history." She said.<br />
<br />
She made a motion around her, standing, but staying bent at the waist to avoid hitting the rafters.<br />
<br />
"If you do remove anything, please return it. I have a system, if you couldn't tell." She gave Jim a self-aware smile.<br />
<br />
Jim moved around on his knees, looking over the boxes.<br />
<br />
"Oldest are toward the middle and packed tightly to keep the heat from getting to them too much. I had to move many things into the cardboard boxes. Don't depend on how old the boxes look to determine how old they are." She said.<br />
<br />
Jim looked around. She smiled at his obvious delight.<br />
<br />
"It's good to finally meet you, Jim," her eyes sparkled as she said it, "I'm going to get out of this heat."<br />
<br />
She dabbed at her forehead and let out a breath as she turned and went down the steps to the floor below.<br />
<br />
Jim read the careful handwriting and started moving through the boxes, like a kid at the foot of a Christmas tree, looking for the first gift to open.<br />
<br />
From the movement of dust on the floor it appeared that one of the heavier footlockers had been moved to the back. He followed the lines and removed other cardboard boxes that were stacked on top of it, clearing a path. It had a small lock on it, but the lock itself was one of those simple cross keys. He took his own bundle of keys and pulled a small folding tool free from it. One twist and the lock fell open.<br />
<br />
He opened it and the smell of must and parchment oozed from the footlocker. Jim's eyes widened. Stacks of small leather journals very similar to both Lisa and Abigail's. They varied slightly in design and color. Some in the top left of the box were far more rustic, with thick twining threads through the spine. Each of them had the same leather strap with the formed metal post to hold it shut. He thumbed through the diaries. Some had a name and date, while others were hidden. He considered where to start.<br />
<br />
"Janice has a system, right?" He breathed to himself, "Let's go back to the beginning."<br />
<br />
He looked for signs of age and, predictably, the journals were stacked from oldest to newest in columns, moving left to right, then row upon row putting the newest in the front right. He tentatively reached to the last and picked it up. It appeared to be recent, in comparison to all of the others. He thumbed the strap and turned to the first page.<br />
<br />
Written in a precise, flowery handwriting, "To Abigail. From all of us."<br />
<br />
The words sent a chill down his spine. He wasn't sure what to think of it, but it seemed eerily prescient. He put the diary back into place and then moved back to the top left. The stack was nearly six deep. He looked to the first page and saw the name June. He continued paging through the different books, finding a total of eight belonging to June before the name Geraldine showed up.<br />
<br />
He pulled the journals from the footlocker and secreted them into a box that had a small jewelry box and very little else in it. He closed the footlocker, clicked the lock, and replaced the boxes from where he'd pulled them, leaving no trace. He moved down the steps carefully, then dutifully returned the steps to the ceiling, replacing the cord.<br />
<br />
Jim brought the box into his room and grabbed a glass of water, then began to read the words of June.Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435808207395330499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526285455094698909.post-71023117675743608192017-06-22T22:57:00.002-07:002017-06-26T15:23:11.666-07:00What Remains, part 2Jim spent hours walking the fenced edges of the ranch. The hot Wyoming sun leeched the tears from him, giving him a release for the grief. Pain was a welling pressure, like a bleeding wound. Without changing the gauze or releasing the pressure, he found himself angry, volatile, and sinking into despair. As he wandered through Lisa's childhood, he was able to release it by degrees. Letting go and allowing the healing process to begin.<br />
<br />
She hadn't said much about this place. She had always spoken of it like she had desperately wanted to leave it behind. He'd had a hard time understanding her motivations. There was some fear or unspoken concern that she avoided at all costs. To Jim, everything looked like a picturesque painting of the perfect childhood from where he stood.<br />
<br />
He could imagine rushing through the tall golden grasses that spread out infinitely, head barely tall enough to find your way. Easily hiding just by dropping to ground. The only indication that those tall grasses didn't continue on forever were the mountains that stood around him, looking like a backdrop from movie.<br />
<br />
The fence was weathered, some had even started to buckle, but none of them had fallen. It was a testament to the quality and effort that had been spent when they were first put in place. Like the fences, an abandoned barn stood between the fences. The long boards forming the walls had warped with time, pulling slightly from the sturdy supports underneath. He moved inside, tentatively, making sure it was safe. He could smell the age and sweetness from long dried manure and the sun cured wood. Patches of grass had grown here and there, following the cracks of light that fell to the floor.<br />
<br />
There were a series of small fenced areas with a loft that still had the leavings of windblown hay from ages back. The vertical timbers stood strong. He was surprised to see names etched on one of them. There were a series of height markers etched into the wood and a patchwork of names, each vying for space on the wide piece of wood. Janice and Rachel were among the names, as well as a boy's chiseled less precise hand showing the name Sully. They were very old, blackened by time and stained by the oils left by the animals that had rubbed against them. None of the markers appeared taller than four feet.<br />
<br />
On another support, Jim found Lisa's name. Hers appeared almost fresh, showing up after the animals had gone. It was isolated and apart from the others.<br />
<br />
"Maybe there was something to that," Jim said to himself.<br />
<br />
It changed the story if she was a lonely child, the older generations having very little in common with their grand niece, and she remained trapped by miles of freedom.<br />
<br />
He slid to the floor and leaned against the support, Lisa's name just over his head as he sat there. He put his hand around and reached into his pocket. He pulled out her wedding ring and looked closely at the tiny row of diamonds that dotted the outer edge. It was a simple, elegant reminder of their union, tiny in his palm. It could barely fit over the first knuckle of his ring finger, but it went over his right pinky finger where it fit snugly. He still wore his own wedding band, not knowing if or when he would ever take it off. He lifted his arm and gripped the support behind him and closed his eyes. She had been here. Ages ago, sure, but it was something.<br />
<br />
"I never planned to lose you," he said to the barn walls and that lingering sweetness.<br />
<br />
"I never planned to be lost," her voice echoed in his head.<br />
<br />
He shuddered, tears pressing to the surface again. He let his bone shaking sobs take him, again bleeding off more of that pressure. He'd held it for so long in order to keep things together for his kids. He was pretty Abigail had seen through it. It was unfortunate that his melancholy had made him blind to theirs. Daniel was probably just young enough to be hurt by it, being about the age where his first indelible memories started. Abigail, was nearly eight and Jim was sure he didn't know what he could do for her to lessen the damage.<br />
<br />
"I hope that I can, someday, convey how wonderful of a mother you were." He said softly to himself.<br />
<br />
He loosened his grip and dropped his hand to the floor below and closed his eyes, breathing in the summer heat with long breaths.<br />
<br />
"They'll know, love," her voice echoed again, then she whispered closely, "dinner's ready."<br />
<br />
He gasped, feeling himself wake up as he heard the peal of a bell. He drew a ragged breath and looked around the barn. His heart raced. He leaned against the back of the support, then pulled himself to his feet.<br />
<br />
He bowed his head to the childlike letters and brushed his hand over them.<br />
<br />
"We'll talk later," he said softly.<br />
<br />
Jim kissed his fingertips and touched them to her name.<br />
<br />
The ringing bell had stopped. The sunset drenched the valley in a soft red glow. He walked through the grass that was now a rich, coppery color. The heat was still there, but the breeze made gave it a gentle touch.<br />
<br />
He saw the large bell at the back of the house and marveled at it. Tarnished with age, but very well built. He'd have expected to see it on the bow of a ship. A weather blackened cord stretched back to the back door that opened into the kitchen. Jim smiled at the antiquity of it.<br />
<br />
The table was set and Janice motioned for Jim to sit. The children were already in place, poised over their food, but held back by either words or threats. He smiled to himself, fascinated by the propriety.<br />
<br />
The meal consisted of a hearty meatloaf, sweet corn on the cob, and fresh baked rolls. The bread steamed as Jim pulled them apart. He looked to Janice and shook his head in disbelief.<br />
<br />
"This is amazing." He said, his mouth still full.<br />
<br />
She gave him a reproachful look, then let it fade into a smile. Abigail and Daniel had been talking back and forth giving a pleasant backdrop for the meal.<br />
<br />
"How are you doing, Abby?" He asked, leaning in with a tired smile.<br />
<br />
"It's great!" She started, excitedly. Her bright blue eyes wide, her dark auburn hair tousled and erratic.<br />
<br />
"They have so many dolls in the attic!"<br />
<br />
"And toy soydurs!" Daniel said, stumbling around the word 'soldiers'.<br />
<br />
Rachael walked in and leaned delicately against the doorway, listening in. This was the second time he'd seen her since he set foot in the house. She whisked the children up stairs and left him with Janice almost immediately. Her eyes sparkled at the sight of the children.<br />
<br />
"You should eat, sister." Janice said, a tad more firmly than seemed necessary.<br />
<br />
"I'm not hungry, <i>sister</i>," Rachael said, her tone a slight challenge, but she still smiled.<br />
<br />
Rachael turned to him.<br />
<br />
"They are beautiful children, Jim. Lovely in every way." She said.<br />
<br />
She put a hand on his shoulder, and her eyes shone brightly with a barely contained joy.<br />
<br />
Janice and Rachael looked similar, but it was clear that Rachael was some years younger, she had a lighter complexion and seemed to have a dusting of freckles that had spread wider with age. Her hair was a light brown that draped down her back. It was held together loosely with a red ribbon. A subtle light gray touched her temples which was a stark contrast to Janice's uniformly dark gray hair pulled tightly into a bun.<br />
<br />
Jim looked to each of them, Janice looked on Rachael with some annoyance, but Rachael seemed completely unaffected. Doubtless, being together that long would make for some strained company.<br />
<br />
"Oh, daddy! Look at this," Abigail held up a small necklace that had a large, deep red stone in a metal clasp.<br />
<br />
It seemed to light up at her fingertips, amplifying the dim light from the kitchen fixture.<br />
<br />
"It's mine. She gave it to me."<br />
<br />
I smiled to Rachael, who remained focused on Abigail, her eyes glossy with emotion.<br />
<br />
"Did you say thank you?" I asked her.<br />
<br />
"Yep!" Abigail beamed, "It's called a <i>blood stone</i>."<br />
<br />
Janice had a look of disapproval.<br />
<br />
"Hmm, I'm not sure," I said, looking closely at it, "Bloodstones are usually green, not red."<br />
<br />
"It looks like blood to me." She said with a shrug, looking closely at it.<br />
<br />
Jim felt weariness pulling at him. Even with the brief nap in the barn, he'd had a lot of sleepless nights to make up for. Janice seemed to recognize this and all traces of the disapproval had vanished.<br />
<br />
"You need to rest, dear," she said, "let me show you to your room."<br />
<br />
"I'll ready the children for bed," Rachael said, and stooped to their level, "Daniel, Abigail? Are you ready to see your room?"<br />
<br />
Both of them lit up and Rachael flagged them along, toddling playfully from the room with them close on her heels.<br />
<br />
"You'll have to forgive her," Janice said with a sigh, "She had always wanted children. She's mostly a child herself."<br />
<br />
"I can relate," Jim said with a smile, "Any reason she didn't try?"<br />
<br />
"Oh, work to be done. I'm sure you understand," Janice said, elegantly dismissing the question.<br />
<br />
"Thank you, again. I appreciate the time. I, needed a moment to collect myself." He told her, feeling a tug at his again.<br />
<br />
"I'm not sure I could describe how much this means to us," she said, "We're happy to help."<br />
<br />
Janice led him to a hall from the front room that ran parallel to the stairs going up. Ended in the bathroom with a hallway continuing down either side. Immediately to his right was another door that he assumed went into the cellar.<br />
<br />
"That was Lisa's room," she said, pointing to the room further to the right, "It's now a guest room, but it felt right for you to stay in it."<br />
<br />
Jim thanked her and she nodded and began to step away, then stopped and turned back.<br />
<br />
"The children are just above you. I'm sure Rachael will take care of them if they get upset during the night, but they should be easy to find." She said, then nodded, "Sleep well, Jim."<br />
<br />
He nodded silently and twisted the knob. The room was small and boxlike. It had the same very tall ceilings like the rest of the first floor. The bed itself was a grandiose queen mattress, placed perfectly in the center of the room. It was layered with comforters and billowing pillows, smelling of a sweet perfume that resembled roses. The bed itself was immaculately made, with extra blankets at the foot. A small chest sat the foot of the bed. Underneath that was a large round rug protecting it from the polished wooden floors.<br />
<br />
Opposite the door was a set of corner shelves, holding a variety of keepsakes and picture frames. Some were downright ancient. Near the top, a small antique lamp filled with a thick red oil. A vanity sat against the wall with a tall oval mirror. It stood between a set of East facing windows, three dolls the were positioned on the vanity, facing the South wall. A cubby with a folded curtain revealing a small closet.<br />
<br />
Like the front room, it was maintained to an uncanny level of perfection with everything in its place and Jim felt awkward for what he was going to do next.<br />
<br />
He lifted the blankets and put them on the vanity, careful to avoid knocking the dolls to the ground. He pulled back the comforter and let it hang to the floor and stripped back the next set of sheets until it was just a thin layer between him and the open air of the room.<br />
<br />
He pulled the pillows from the bed and laid them on top of the other blankets and looked at the stripped down bed. He sighed at the work he'd be doing in the morning to try and regain that rigid order that Janice had, undoubtedly, put into place.<br />
<br />
Jim switched the light off and laid on his back, listening to movement on the floor above him. The kids' rapid footfalls and Rachael's own following up. The soft sounds of Rachael speaking to those children exactly as a great aunt should. He smiled, his heavy eyes trying to close. The room was full of a soft glow from the moonlight spilling over the Wyoming prairie.<br />
<br />
"Lisa." He whispered to the darkness, closing his eyes, "Why did you leave here?"<br />
<br />
He could feel the heaviness of his thoughts lulling him to sleep.<br />
<br />
"Some things are far too much for someone so young," her voice eddied around him, "But now I understand."<br />
<br />
Jim attempted to wake himself with the response, a slight crease furrowing his brow. He cracked his eyes and saw the dark outline of her silhouette against the moonlight windows. He fought to keep his eyes open, but the effort was beyond him.<br />
<br />
"Why? ... Lisa." he stumbled through the words weakly.<br />
<br />
"Shh, dear. Sleep." She said.<br />
<br />
His brow smoothed at her words and he succumbed.Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435808207395330499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526285455094698909.post-52659041978395896532017-06-21T22:12:00.000-07:002017-06-26T13:29:08.927-07:00What Remains, part 1The voices of Abigail and Daniel trickled down the stairs and pooled around Jim's feet.<br />
<br />
"They'll be fine up there." Janice said.<br />
<br />
She motioned for Jim to sit. The old wood of the floor creaked as he hesitated then settled gingerly into an immaculately kept embroidered couch. The furniture was extremely old and appeared to be fragile. The side tables, other chairs, drapes and rugs were kept to a near museum level of impeccability. There were hand-stitched doilies gracing each side table and lace curtains hung from the windows.<br />
<br />
Jim kept his hands folded neatly on his lap. He looked around, wanting to touch and exploring his surroundings, but his will was weak with grief.<br />
<br />
He looked up at Janice and she looked on him. There was a tired smile on her face and sadness in her eyes.<br />
<br />
"When we heard about Lisa," her voice caught and she lifted a polite hand to her mouth before continuing, "I never expected that we'd never see her again."<br />
<br />
She dabbed at her eyes neatly with a handkerchief, her own antiquity reflecting that of the furniture.<br />
<br />
Jim wanted to reach out and comfort her but his own weariness pulled him deeper into the couch. His own expression was pained and he could feel the welling up of barely restrained pain stirring just below the surface.<br />
<br />
He shook his head, afraid that saying anything would start the flood again. Tears fell on the carpet as he leaned forward and rested on his hands. She reached forward and put a comforting hand on his shoulder.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Janice was one of two great aunts of his late wife. Janice and Rachael lived together in this home. Neither had married, content to keep each other's company. Lisa had said they'd been close, but she had never made effort to keep in contact. She had only expressed wanting to visit after she was already too sick to travel.<br />
<br />
Jim picked up a leather messenger bag he'd brought with him, lifted the flap, and produced a small, unmarked leatherbound book. A worn leather strap kept the cover in place with a small metal peg. Janice lifted her hand to her mouth in shock.<br />
<br />
"She remembered." She said gently.<br />
<br />
Jim shrugged at it, "She hardly wrote in it, but the important moments are in there."<br />
<br />
Lisa had only written the most poignant moments of her life in that journal. There were entries from her childhood, speaking of this very house he sat in. Sporadic entries dotted her teenage years. Then there was when she'd met him. She'd been sure of him well before he'd even known she was interested. The thought brought a smile to his face.<br />
<br />
There were other entries, though. The darker times. Feeling haunted by her childhood. Their first loss, Missy, their stillborn daughter. Then, shortly after that, the death of her mother and the dark thoughts that chased her.<br />
<br />
Until Abigail.<br />
<br />
Abigail had reversed her darkness and brought light to both of them. Lisa had said she wanted to name her after one of the ancestors she'd felt closest to and we agreed to the name. Daniel came to them a little more than a year later.<br />
<br />
It was about then that we realized that she had never fully recover from Daniel's birth. She was constantly tired. Shortly after that, she had been diagnosed with stomach cancer. She clung to life as long as her will would allow, wanting the children old enough to remember her.<br />
<br />
"Two days before she passed, she handed it to me with new entries and a lock of her hair. She wanted you and Rachael to have it." Jim said.<br />
<br />
He handed the book to Janice and she nodded. She flipped to an earlier page and saw the lock of hair from Missy. She ran her fingers over the downy softness. Jim covered his nose and mouth holding back the ache of those memories. Tears streamed over his fingers.<br />
<br />
She dabbed at her own tears, nodding, then closed the book, gently putting the leather strap back on the metal peg.<br />
<br />
"I will get to work on this," she said, then stood.<br />
<br />
His felt confusion at her words. They tried to mix with grief, but only one emotion fit in his heart.<br />
<br />
"You are free to stay here as long as you'd like. Our home is your home," Janice said, gesturing around her, "The children are a delight to have here, too. They bring a new energy to this place that has long been absent."<br />
<br />
Jim nodded, he still felt weak from keeping so much in.<br />
<br />
"I haven't been good for the children. I hate them seeing me like this." He said, eyes misting over as he looked up a Janice, "I need a space to think. Work doesn't expect me to be back for some time. I'm hoping I can take the time to process."<br />
<br />
Janice nodded.<br />
<br />
"Take a walk around the ranch, then. It may help clear your head. Lisa had many memories here. Maybe you'll run into a few of them?" she said,"And don't worry, we'll take care of the children."Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435808207395330499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526285455094698909.post-33087431874485303662017-06-20T21:27:00.001-07:002017-06-21T22:14:40.736-07:00Traveling Strangers, part 2Max settled in, leaning back and stretching with a yawn and Hank continued with his forward looking gaze. It appeared that neither man had sensed Mae's panic.<br />
<br />
"I didn't know if anyone would stop. Hitchhiking isn't what it used to be." Max mused, his voice just barely rising above the roar of the engine, "All this fear and worry. Seems unhealthy that we look on others as dangerous as we do."<br />
<br />
Mae nodded absently. While her eyes were forward, all of her senses were focused behind her. The sense that she could feel his body heat. The pricking of her ears as she consumed every sound that he made. Every word that he spoke.<br />
<br />
The quiet pressed in and it made Mae nervous, it was desperate to be filled. She cleared her throat, but her mouth was full of cotton. She leaned forward and pulled her glass jug of water, from next to her feet. She could taste the sweetness from the mineral springs from what used to be her home. She felt the cool waters and let it calm whatever fires had erupted at the sight of him.<br />
<br />
"I don't think I'd seen a hitchhiker in years until you, just now." Mae said, her voice resuming it's light airy pitch.<br />
<br />
She'd never seen a hitchhiker before. She'd never even <i>been </i>this far from home before. But he didn't know that. Max shifted in his seat in response, and the hair on Mae's neck stood, a slight chill wandered up her spine with the sensation.<br />
<br />
"It's not so much that people don't, these days, you just have to find the way to do it. Begging for rides at truck stops isn't a romantic way to travel. You end up bartering whatever you have away and the conversation isn't all that great when you're a paying passenger." His voice held a smile as he spoke.<br />
<br />
Mae smiled, too. Her heart fluttered again.<br />
<br />
"Then, you aren't just out of money? Trying to get where ever you're going to get?"<br />
<br />
"Nope. Just finding my way where ever I might end up. I started this with no real destination in mind." The seat creaked as he made stretching noises and his voice had a yawn in it, "I am pretty sure it'll end with a decision to move on with my life."<br />
<br />
There was a twitch at Hank's mouth. He had something to say and it nearly had escaped, but he held it and continued his stony, forward facing gaze.<br />
<br />
"Then where are you from?" Mae asked.<br />
<br />
"Arizona. Land of both hot and dry." Max said with a chuckle.<br />
<br />
"Hmmm, I don't know much about that." Mae mused, her voice almost lost in the engine noise, "I haven't been West of the Mississippi. Probably for the best, thought, it sounds downright miserable."<br />
<br />
"Oh. Well, the stories of how hot it gets out that way are pretty dramatic. I find summers out here much, <i>much</i> worse. Take a hot shower here and you'll never dry off."<br />
<br />
"Amen." Mae said with a smile. The thought of a shower caught her off guard and she suddenly blushed. The blankets she'd had bundled around her were suddenly too warm and she let them loosen and breathe.<br />
<br />
"Well, where I come from, the place can feel like an oven, but the shade helps. As long as you drink plenty of water, it's not all that bad," he paused for a moment and smacked his lips, "Speaking of water. Would you mind? I was serious about being afraid no one would pick me up. I had expected some services on that road, but I didn't plan as well as I'd hoped."<br />
<br />
Mae wasn't sure what to say. She trembled again, she could feel a drop of sweat roll down the right side of her face and she loosened the blankets further, thankful that the heater wasn't on.<br />
<br />
"I'm not sick or anything. My germs are pretty safe." Max tested again.<br />
<br />
Mae shrugged, "Sure. Uh, germs?"<br />
<br />
He dipped his hand over the seat and Hank's eye flicked to the bottle as the man pulled it over the back of the seat. His eyes flicked back to the road and his expression didn't change. He shifted slightly in his seat, showing his discomfort.<br />
<br />
Mae chanced a glance while Max leaned back, his mouth on the bottle. There was a wheezing sound as the air hissed around his lips while he drank. He stopped suddenly, his blue eyes thankful. His face wearing a warm smile. He capped it and slid the bottle back over the seat.<br />
<br />
"Sorry, Didn't mean to get greedy." He said, coughing slightly.<br />
<br />
"What will you do when you decide to go back?" Mae asked.<br />
<br />
"I don't know." Max said with a sigh, another creak as he settled back in his seat, "Probably go to a bus station and buy my way back. <i>When </i>I'm done I think I'll <i>know </i>I'm done."<br />
<br />
There was a quiver of loss that ran through Mae's belly at the mention of his leaving. He had just gotten here, after all.<br />
<br />
"I thought of doing a tour of Europe. Maybe even someplace like Indonesia or even Nepal. But, honestly, how many people live in the United States and barely know what wonders are right in their backyards?" Max said.<br />
<br />
"I haven't traveled much." Mae said, her voice bordering on wistful.<br />
<br />
"What are you doing now?" Max asked.<br />
<br />
Mae looked back and the man shrugged, but he continued to wait for an answer.<br />
<br />
"We're moving North. There's work that way and Hank here can do it." Mae said, a touch of pride edged into her voice.<br />
<br />
"See, <i>that </i>sounds like adventure," Max said bumping the back of the seat with the fleshy part of his fist, "What do you do, Hank?"<br />
<br />
Mae cringed. She didn't know how Hank would manage. He was such a solitary sort, but it was suddenly apparent that it wasn't just his manly way. It was a raw, paralyzing fear.<br />
<br />
Hank seemed to catch his breath then release it for a moment, readying himself to speak. It had been a direct challenge and the discomfort was obvious. Max still smiled pleasantly, acting as if he hadn't a care in the world, but he also wasn't going to let Hank <i>not</i> speak.<br />
<br />
"Plumber." Hank said, his gravely voice louder than expected, "And an electrician."<br />
<br />
Mae breathed out slowly at his finally putting the words together.<br />
<br />
"That's honest, essential work. No doubt you'll find jobs in need of those skills." Max said, his head nodding in approval.<br />
<br />
Mae was bewildered. This man seemed cultured and traveled to be so young. He also let Hank express himself and then spent the time to build him up. She shivered again and began to pay very close attention.<br />
<br />
"How did you get into that business?" Max asked, his voice aimed at Hank.<br />
<br />
Hank thought for a moment.<br />
<br />
"Tinkering, mostly. I was good at figurin' what stuff goes where. Went to the applied college and got certified." Hank said, "I reckoned that electricity moved a lot like water through pipes. So, I studied that, too."<br />
<br />
Hank had never, ever spoken like that to a complete stranger. Mae hoped her shock didn't reach her face, she turned to look out the window to hide it.<br />
<br />
"It sounds like you have a knack for it." Max was, again, nodding with the words.<br />
<br />
Mae looked to Hank. He'd taken the man's words in, sitting a little straighter, and the furrow creasing his brow had smoothed. It was difficult to mask her bewildered wonder as she looked back to Max. The man''s boyish smile widened just slightly, a few perfectly straight teeth shown through his narrowly parted lips.<br />
<br />
His eyes fixed to hers then he spoke. A strange, knowing look shown in his eyes and she was suddenly worried.<br />
<br />
"What's <i>your </i>plan when you get there?"<br />
<br />
The question was to her, but his voice remained the same appreciative tone.<br />
<br />
She faced forward and licked her lips as she thought.<br />
<br />
"I'm going to take care of Hank?" She tried a smile, but it faded. The words felt wrong as soon as they left her mouth.<br />
<br />
The silence stretched. Max had shrugged, but continued to look at her with gentle eyes, waiting. He was doing the same thing to her as he'd done to Hank and it brought up an anger she didn't expect.<br />
<br />
There was more beyond that anger. His words made her think; made her reach down deep to pull at whatever notion had gotten her this far. What did she want? Children were in the plan, but it was unlikely that Hank would tolerate them. She didn't want to offer the same childhood she'd had. The thought brought an ache do the surface she hadn't known lingered there. She felt suddenly powerless.<br />
<br />
"I don't know?" She finally said. The words felt like giving up.<br />
<br />
"What would you <i>want</i> to do, then?" Max pressed.<br />
<br />
This seemed to make Hank nervous and the furrow returned.<br />
<br />
"Help other people?" She said, tentatively. The words felt better, but there was more. She knew there was more.<br />
<br />
"C'mon, Mae. You help me all the time." Hank said, the gravel lifting from his voice. His eyes strangely nervous.<br />
<br />
"But that's not enough, is it?" She looked to Hank, then looked to Max.<br />
<br />
She sat forward, one hand laid in the other, and remained utterly still.<br />
<br />
Max seemed to understand her silence and began to talk to Hank, who continued to open up, as this man easily unraveled his insecurities and protections.<br />
<br />
Mae shook as her thoughts raced. She was feeling feverish; feeling utterly exposed. She was numb to the world around her. She looked to Hank, with consternation. His face was open and he glanced often in the rear view mirror, now actively engaging with Max. Their words were lost to Mae, though. The hours had passed like moments and the tunnels of trees gave way to towns, supermarkets, and gas stations while the sun sunk lower to their right.<br />
<br />
She grit her teeth.<br />
<br />
"<i>I</i> want to go to Arizona!" She hissed.<br />
<br />
Their conversation froze in mid-air.<br />
<br />
At that moment, all of that bubbling sweetness, that persevering wholesomeness, had evaporated from her. She could draw a line from where she sat right now all the way back when she was just a little girl. Her purpose was then as it is now; sating the rampant egos of these fragile men.<br />
<br />
Why hadn't she seen it before? The placating, stroking, tolerating, and peacemaking. From violent moods to feeling outright worthless. She had given them all the control. Her father, her boyfriends, her husband, and his brothers. It was perpetuated by their wives, daughters, and sisters. Each falling into these same patterns. And she was there among them, but she was <i>not</i> them. She could never be them. It was obvious, now.<br />
<br />
Obvious and absolutely enraging.<br />
<br />
Mae furiously shed the bundle of blankets and tossed them to the floor. She cranked up the heat and looked for something else she'd had to just sit back <i>deal </i>with. She couldn't settle on anything, so she sneered. The trucked bobbed to and from on the road because of a startled Hank.<br />
<br />
"I'm deadly serious." She said, pointing her finger like a knife, looking at both men menacingly.<br />
<br />
"Mae? What's gotten into you?" He said, the words wore a tone of anger, but it came out weak. He was off balance and there was no way she'd let him find that ground again.<br />
<br />
"What do <i>I</i> want to do?" She asked loudly to no one in particular.<br />
<br />
Hank's look was nonplussed, the typical furrow forming whenever he felt vulnerable and was mad because of it. It was like a tell at a poker game. Max's boyish face retreated into his shoulders and he pulled back into the deepening darkness of the cab.<br />
<br />
"How about whatever I <i>God-damned </i>please?" She had even said it without cringing, she even emphasized it.<br />
<br />
"Mae. You need to get a hold of yourself." Hank's voice became dangerous.<br />
<br />
She knew this tone and, before, it had struck fear in her. The same fear she'd carried for so long. But this was the fear of a child. And, while it would always be there, she was a woman now. And she needed more than this pallid excuse of a reason to live.<br />
<br />
"I am <i>done,</i> Hank. What kind of man hits a woman because he can't control her?" Her eyes locked on his, the steely gray bent with anger, but also terror. "What kind of man are <i>you</i>, Hank?"<br />
<br />
"This man poisoned you! You're only saying that because..." Hank's anger swept back to the cowering Max, who wore a terrified expression.<br />
<br />
"Perhaps it's just a man being gentlemanly. But I don't need <i>him</i> either. I need me and I'm taking <i>me </i>back." Mae thumbed her chest, the anger she felt was giving way to a bone deep sorrow, but she wasn't going to let him see that. He didn't deserve to see her weak anymore.<br />
<br />
Hank shut down, turning forward, and gripping the steering wheel. The engine began to roar. Max's eyes widened in panic as the engine roared.<br />
<br />
"Oh, Hank. I truly do hope you find your way, because I'm not gonna be there to make it easier for you." Mae said loud enough to hear over the roar of the engine, her words dripping with a divisive sweetness.<br />
<br />
She looped her leg around the shifter and pulled back again, but this time, Hank held fast. He pushed the gas further revving the engine higher. The needle inched up to 75 MPH. The lights of another town sped past.<br />
<br />
Mae grimaced, tugging again, but he didn't let up. His knuckles were white on the shifting knob, holding it in place.<br />
<br />
"If that's how it's gonna be." She said with a sigh, the words lost in the high-pitched rumble.<br />
<br />
The glass bottle rested at her side. Mae, picked it up and brought it down on Hank's hand. The trucked swayed as Hank let out a howl of pain and released the knob. Mae wrenched the shifter out of gear the sound of ragged popping accompanied it. The engine revved dangerously. Someone flashed their high beams ahead and Hank jerked the decelerating truck back to his side of the road.<br />
<br />
She yanked on the keys, as she had before, but then held on to them.<br />
<br />
Hank shook as the now quiet truck trundled along the edge of the road.<br />
<br />
"Oh, thanks, Sugar. Right here is just fine." She said, casually, as the truck wound down to a stop.<br />
<br />
Hank thrashed impotently for a moment and then coddled his right hand, she wasn't sure if she saw his tears in the darkness of the cab. It made her heart ache, but they both had to move past this.<br />
<br />
"Probably should get some ice on it. You'll need it for your job." She said, opening the door and sliding out of the cab.<br />
<br />
Her blankets covered her right shoulder and it draped over the half full bottle of water in her hand. She tossed the truck's keys back in the cab next to Hank's leg.<br />
<br />
"I may come back. I may not. I'll think about it." She said absently.<br />
<br />
She pushed the door just enough for it to firmly latch and moved to the bed of the truck. She tugged an old satchel free. It held her clothes and her keepsakes. Mae then looked on the rest of the belongings tied in place with some disgust. She had never wanted any of it.<br />
<br />
She looped the satchel over her other shoulder and began to walk back to the town they'd passed.<br />
<br />
The rear door burst open and there was a jangling of buckles as Max moved up behind her. He slowed before reaching her, but she didn't look back.<br />
<br />
"Mind if I join you? I think this is my stop, too." He said it loudly enough for her to hear over the passing traffic.<br />
<br />
She lifted her head.<br />
<br />
"Keep yourself to yourself, and we'll be fine." She said, still facing forward.<br />
<br />
He moved along side her as she set the pace. Even though she was small, she had always been fierce. She was suddenly determined the find that again, and never let it go.<br />
<br />
"I was thinking," Max said, "Maybe it <i>is</i> time to go home. I might have found what I was looking for."<br />
<br />
"How's that?" Mae said with some salt, her voice sporting an edge that she'd never thought possible, "I get rid of one man, and you're obliging me by offerin' another?"<br />
<br />
"Oh, no. It's nothing like that." He said.<br />
<br />
She gave him a skeptical look and continued to push the pace.<br />
<br />
"I've been looking for a partner. Someone friendly. Someone with good instincts."<br />
<br />
Mae chuckled then looked sidelong at him.<br />
<br />
"I'm not sure I'm buying what you're selling." She said.<br />
<br />
Max went silent and then spoke carefully.<br />
<br />
"Ever heard of a con artist?"Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435808207395330499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6526285455094698909.post-9194500714067433632017-06-19T22:39:00.002-07:002017-06-21T13:12:47.375-07:00Traveling Strangers, part 1Mae snuggled warmly into her seat, as the pace of long distances muffled the sparse conversation. She stared out the window watching the dense trees flit by. Thousands upon thousands packed tight enough to ensure you'd be lost in moments. They had traveled far enough North that the seasons were showing. Fall had broken through and the leaves dusted both the ground and road ahead.<br />
<br />
She rolled down the window and let the potpourri that came with fall fill the cab of the weathered two-seater truck. She pulled a blanket around her as the cold crept in. Hank had complained about the heat, so she had turned it off, relying on the warmth bundled around her.<br />
<br />
The highway that they traveled on seemed little more than a country road. The traffic coming the opposite way had been sparse and seemed to only be those packing campers and trailers. The implements of people who merely visited, but never stayed. She would watch as they passed, attempting to catch their eye, smiling her wholesome smile. This provoked sidelong looks from Hank telling her he didn't approve, but this was a new adventure. She would have to make friends where they were going. In this new place, she would not be hidden away along the winding dirt roads she grew up on.<br />
<br />
Thoughts like this traced through her mind as the trees sped by the window. Often, moments came where she sighed softly at those thoughts, smiling.<br />
<br />
"Roll up the window. It's gettin' cold." Hank said, the gravel in his throat grinding out his displeasure. Mae smiled at him leaning up to the window to scent the air while she cranked it shut.<br />
<br />
She looked on him warmly. Hank was a gruff, but kindly man. Like her pa in many ways. He had his cantankerous moments, but that was just a man's way. It brought Mae to the realization that he needed her all the more. Softening his more sharp moments. Being the poetic David to his ill-tempered Saul.<br />
<br />
The whiskers he wore were unkempt, wispy. Mae intended to do something about that once they had settled. It would take some effort to make him presentable. When he showed up at the work site, they'd all know that he was well taken care of. That someone loved him.<br />
<br />
In Ohio, there were suburbs building up something fierce. And Hank specialized in plumbing as well as being a journeyman electrician. He had gotten tired of maintaining the rigged plumbing and old septic tanks. Plus, the money had run out of the area and things had ended up being pure bartering; eggs, chickens, greens, and loads of deer jerky. Sometimes the folks would offer up services, but they were hardly worth effort Hank had put into it.<br />
<br />
With the chance he'd taken, their future looked brighter than ever. They were out of the deep woods and far from the dirt roads. Hank had been reluctant to change, but she would help. She would show him the way. His eyes were steely and straight ahead. A furrow dug straight down between his eyes, making him look thoughtful. He was gangly and strong, standing tall for his stock. The tallest of his brothers, even. None of them could look him straight in the eye. The youngest, Merle, who was twelve years his junior, about Mae's own age, could barely stand toe to toe with her Hank.<br />
<br />
Her thoughts lulled again. They passed an intersection, and she could see miles down the road a brief second before the trees obscured her view again.<br />
<br />
She turned forward, her slight smile warm and lazy. Her eyes traced the road ahead. She spotted a someone well in the distance, nearly blending into the trees if not for the bright orange that bulged from a tall backpack. The way it bobbled up and down, even at this distance, was mesmerizing. The man must have heard the rumble of the truck as he spun on a heel and put a hand out with his thumb up.<br />
<br />
"Let's pick him, Hank. C'mon, it'll be fun." Mae said, her voice crooning softly as she drew out of her blanket to tug on his shirt.<br />
<br />
He gave her a peeved sidelong glance, and shook his head slowly, his steely eyes on her with each wag. They were still at some distance, yet, and Mae felt that it was worth the risk of his fouler moods. This was a fellow traveler, after all, this would be their separate adventures mingling together. This was the Christian thing to do, sharing their blessings.<br />
<br />
She hooked a leg around the shifter and, with a quick motion, popped it out of gear causing a brief fit of grinding. This sent the engine roaring in neutral. Hank's brow furrowed further as he shot her a dangerous look. The truck wagged from side to side. He worked the clutch and the shifter to get it back into gear. She reached over and killed the engine by turning the key backward while he was distracted.<br />
<br />
"Whatever you're going to do comes later. But for now, you should give that boy a ride." She said as the truck wound down, coasting in neutral.<br />
<br />
Hank pressed on the brake, pumping it to a stop in line with the wobbling backpack that had moved well off the road. The man's expression was priceless: wide-eyed and dumbfounded. It was hard to get a good look at him through the dirty windows. She cloud see his lips drawn taut, but as he spotted Mae, his body relaxed and he took a tentative step toward the truck. Hank hissed angrily, but bottled it up quickly. Mae wasn't looking forward to what would come of that anger. She intended to enjoy this precious time, while it lasted.<br />
<br />
She reached behind her and unlocked the passenger side of the two-seater. The man had to pull twice on the door to get it to release. A flood of that autumn potpourri eddied into the truck as the man slung his backpack in, then again as he pulled himself into the seat.<br />
<br />
"Much appreciated. I've been on that road for Lord knows how long." He spoke the words too easily. She flinched as he took the Lord's name and, at the same time, hoped it didn't show. Not many said His name in vain from where Mae came from. She hoped Hank wouldn't have heard, but she assumed he did. Hank grumbled as he struggled to turn the engine over.<br />
<br />
"How do you do? I'm Mae. This is Hank." She said glancing back briefly. The man had moved to the middle of the back bench, his head bobbed out of sight as he pawed around for a seat belt that didn't exist.<br />
<br />
"Say hello to the man, Hank." Mae said with a slight condescension. Hank let out a grumbled reply, his words lost as the engine caught hold. Mae wondered how on Earth he was going to find his way in this new job if he could barely put two words together.<br />
<br />
The man gave up his search and put his hand on the seat toward Hank. Hank didn't look, but wiped his hand on his flannel button up shirt and gave the man a half-hearted shake.<br />
<br />
"The name's Max. I appreciate the ride, Hank."<br />
<br />
"And thank you, Ma'am." His attention turned to Mae.<br />
<br />
"You are quite welcome." Mae said, turning to meet his gaze as he extended his hand to her.<br />
<br />
There was a moment's reverie as she looked to him, her eyes seeking his. She trembled slightly as their eyes met. He was a handsome boy. No, well beyond handsome. Stunning. Penetrating blue eyes, light brown hair that feathered lightly to blond where it had been bleached by the sun. She broke eye contact, giving him a quick, aggressive shake, then turned toward the front of the truck.<br />
<br />
She leaned forward twisting, hiding her face from Hank and Max. Pretending to arrange the blankets around her. Her mouth gaped for a moment as a flutter rose inside and swarmed her heart. She touched her face with the hand he'd shaken. She could smell autumn with subtle traces of sweat and the musk of his travels weaving through. She clenched her jaw, fighting down whatever seemed to be clawing to get out.<br />
<br />
Mae cleared her throat, trying to find a comfortable position which there was no hope of finding.Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435808207395330499noreply@blogger.com0