“The story goes that the first castle to sit here was made of stone,” Ataya’s soft words whispered through the gated window between the carriage...and driver’s bench. “It was sacked by dwarves in the second War of the Races and lied in ruin at the end of the war. The King of the time, I think his name was Pepron, ordered the land cleared so it could be rebuilt. When the land was cleared and the plans were drawn, however, the King’s Mage, in a single day, raised this from the depths of the. I told them I wasabsolutely certain you would never do that to me. It turned into a bet.I'd met Maria at your company's office parties, and we'd hit it off. SoI requested that she flirt with you a tiny bit, never imagining you'dtake the bait. When you did, I was infuriated. She thought it would befun to let you have some sex with her -- she's very easygoing about thatsort of thing -- and then stick it to you with blackmail. I was morethan happy to go along with it. It was amusing to watch. “Thank you” I said as I loosen my tie, after all the work day was over. “Okay, let’s see here” she says as she picks up a small pad of paper and a measuring tape. She studies me for a few minutes, and says “I have a set of pants that are very close to your size right over her, all we’ll need to do is some adjustment and we’ll be done” “Great” I answered. She picks up the pants from another rack and directs me the changing room, just off to the left. A small room, curtain for a door, I step. He also thought if the time was not right now, it never would be. Finally he said, ‘You know Russ, you`re right. I will ask her.’ ‘Good for you! You`d better get down there, her practice ends in 5 minutes.’ ‘But what about work?’ ‘Don`t worry. I can handle things the rest of the afternoon, there isn`t that much left to do. Now go on, Brad, before you get cold feet!’ Brad shook his friend`s hand and patted him on the back. ‘Thanks Russ,’ he said. Then he left the lounge/observation area and.