Well, I'll start at the beginning." He took a deep breath, knowing that he had Carmel hooked. "A month back I learned my wife was seeing another man. ... love Cylvia very much, just as you love Lonnie I'm sure, so you can imagine how I felt when I thought that she was running around on me." Running ar --" Carmel's eyes bulged. "You mean, having an affair? Cylvia? Are you sure?" Oh, more sure than I care to think about," Oliss said bitterly. "You see, her lover came to see me." He saw Carmel's. It stayed invisible most of the time and even if sensed, people tended to purge it from their thoughts as a self-defense mechanism.Kata had figured out Axel’s and Rayner’s role in defeating the dragon and sealing the dungeon. So, Axel came clean about it. Kata then informed him that the will of the miasma had authority over the dungeon and could be used to wrest control from the ogre. If the plan to seal away the ogre’s mana failed, the ball of miasma would serve as a backup.Failing was worth. That would be my mom and sister. Now I was alone at home, not having school on that day due to exams. I suddenly realized that the day was Wednesday, and looking at the clock on the wall and seeing it was seven thirty, I sprung out of bed and headed for the window.Looking over into the yard next door, I saw, as was customary every Wednesday and Sunday mornings, my neighbor, a pretty, buxom, dark brown, thirty-something woman sweeping at leaves in her yard. My neighbor Phyllis was, for over two. Tharsas and Colette were not even thoughts in her mind, as she expected Colette would still be complaining of cramps, and Tharsas had not attended any public function in the castle for several years.The gala was the crowning jewel of the festivals, drawing the Barons of the Federation, and all others of wealth, like moths to the flame. They had begun arriving at mid-afternoon, and the party was now in full swing.Everywhere there were gowns of silk, imported at great expense from far-flung.