There was just a gentle breeze and the sun was shining.As he turned down what he termed the home straight he saw a car parked under a tree. Nothing st...ange in that: as a lot of people used the tree as a starting point for their walks but sitting beside the car and looking rather forlorn was a black and tan Jack Russell. Despite his shouting at them to come to heel his two dogs rushed up to talk to it. It fled back down the ride it had presumably come up. Richard restrained his dogs from giving. "Mr McCock strangled on his drink, protesting"That's a bit strong coming from you, Maddie, I seem to recollect first meeting you on a rescue mission off the old "Valiant"."The potential for discussion was headed off by the Havildar's announcement that"Dinner is served."Followed immediately by Mrs McCock marshalling the troops,"Matthius, escort Cerise, boys attend your parents, Subajhi attend Samuel and I" and led them off to the Dining Room where Walter, Matthew, GusGus and Subajhi were settled. I asked, "Martha doesn't talk about this with you?"Ronnie said, "Oh, she just laughs. But Martha, you know, believes she's reincarnated. She ever mention that?"I remembered a time when Martha and I were in the Memphis State library and Martha had shown me the photograph of the mother and child in the National Geographic. I said, "Yeah, she did. A long time ago."Ronnie nodded, chewing another mouthful. She said, "She has this sacrificial parent thing." Suddenly her eyes popped open and she said. "But rather, a matter of what is best."The queen was silent for a moment, perhaps remembering her own experiences in the Time of Trials--perhaps thinking about the man who had been chosen for her, a man who was the best, but not necessarily good."What do you think, Catheryne," said Queen Meralina, using Gabriele's private name."I think that he clearly has the confidence of those around him," Gabriele said, carefully refraining from mentioning whether her confidences were included."Hmm," said.