She reached over and kissed him on the neck then she whispered, "Come on,"as she twirled a strand of his hair between her fingers. "Let's go back tomy...place."Paul smiled at that but he hesitated."Don't worry. I've got protection."He let her pull him from the stool she threw some bills on the counter tocover their drinks before allowing Laura to drag him out of the door. Sheopened the door of the taxi he got in a little unsteady she put her handon his bottom to help him in then she followed him. "Okay," I said. "Mom, you remember we talked about what my friends said to me, about not clinging to my dreams." I don't," my father said immediately."They told her not to let her fantasies blind her to reality," my mother supplied.My father nodded. "Wise words. Life is hard enough sometimes without lying to ourselves." Well... I didn't remember their advice," I said.There was a bit of a silence."Which means," my father finally prompted."I didn't see who he really was because I was too focused. This is great advertising for her and other dance instructors inthe community, and hell, throughout the whole state, I'm sure. I'm seeinga whole lot more advertisements, and even some television commercials nowadvertising tickets to the grand ball at the governor's mansion. We stilldon't know if the mold will be removed before the event, but I'm kind ofhoping not. I'd rather hold the dance at the state capital building,dancing under the dome. Wouldn't that be dreamy? Tammy and I are. He said that subjects live through the generosity of their ruler, and only the ruler can order his subjects to die. Thus, a true ruler controls both life and death. I was struck by his words and sought to abide by them ever since. In every raid there were inevitably captives with severe injuries, some so severe that they would probably be fatal or maim the captive for life and some that might be survivable. The decision on whether or not to spend precious time and resources trying to save.