My mind traced over the memory of Liz and my last encounter and I could only stare somewhat unfocused as my mind was clicking through how it might hav... happened. And you know ,... Liz said trailing off with a long pause as she tilted her head with a smile. Lots,... she said directly as the two of them began to laugh hilariously at my expense. Yes ..lots,... Moira repeated grinning a mischievous smile I didn't recognize and then continuing to giggle. But how?... I said still puzzled and somewhat. They had been reported stopping atfive villages without incident. Then they had simply disappeared. The tax collector,escort, and taxes vanished without a trace. We were sent to investigate. Behind me a squirming sack fell to the ground with a thud. Marcus, my adjutant,had unloaded our prisoner from the back of his donkey. A fat little man whoclaimed to be the priest, or teacher, from the village we were now encircling.His nose was swollen and bent to the right from his brief interrogation.. What are you doing now? Do you have a free period? You could come and get breakfast with me if you want. What else do you have today? I heard you dropped Biology for Economics, what happened?’ Mia sighed. Louise was always so talkative, though she was perfectly nice, she was just too chipper and cheerful for Mia to stand. She interrupted ‘Louise, I’m really tired, I’m going to nap for a bit now, but I’ll talk to you about it all later’, and with that, Mia put her head down on the desk, resting. Holding it, sucking on it, and ... having these feelings. That is how I betray my husband – by having these feelings I never had with him – and enjoying them. Do you understand?"Ellis stared at the girl. She felt old, and very old memories returned to her – teenage thoughts, teenage angst. Then she shook her head no."Of course I understand, honey," she said, brushing strands of hair from Juliana's face. "And it makes me feel sorry to see you hurt like this. But you can't keep thinking this way.