The women were cousins and lived together in a tall, skinny house that a patriot had deserted. I watched for a while, feeling sorry for myself and rat...er put upon.A carriage arrived and a woman left the house. Then a tall girl appeared at the back door wearing a wide-brimmed hat and carrying a book. She made her way into the overgrown garden, plunked herself down on a bench, opened her book and adjusted her floppy hat to shade her eyes.Opportunity had presented itself.I made sure my mare was. I have no idea where she actually went, but she has not been seen for some fifteen years." What if someone tried to come in through the desert?" she asked again."How? An expedition equipped well enough to pass through a hundred miles of desert would show up on our defence radar and on our surveillance satellites. As a matter of fact one is on its way now. We believe they are Canadian reporters and we will welcome them when they reach the outskirts of the city. Then nobody will hear of them. Your choice."The general scowled. But he said nothing. He just got a clever look on his face.So what. No clever look he has will help him after the next thirty eight keystrokes were finished."May I ask a question?" You may." What are your plans?" Attend this party, get some issues solved, mingle the minimum required time and return to the Hades." I silently finished the last keystrokes. "There. The ship is secure. It will just sit here until I return, no matter what buttons are pushed." Don't. ~~~~~~~~~Around 1 am that night, just as planned, she tapped on my window. I opened it up and helped her in, sweating not from the heat, but from my nerves. She sat down on my bed and started analyzing my room, which she had never entered before. I sat down next to her, and wrapped my arm around her. She kissed my cheek, and I pecked back. This was a first experience for both of us, and I wanted to make it a good one.I grabbed her and laid her down on my bed, and I cuddled up beside her. She.