“How interesting to run into you here of all places? Are you here for the same reason that I am?”I fought my swallow. My hands clenched. I wanted ...o cover myself. To run. Cower. But I couldn’t. She was the lion, and she would pounce if I bolted. This was worst than facing down Queen Athirmi.“Which is?” I managed to ask.She arched a dark eyebrow. “The elf Xerathalasia and the halfling Minx found a miracle here that let them breed,” Throwia purred. “Something that the madmen Vebrin cooked up. The people we were protecting were trying to understand and preserve the structure and the beautiful murals. There was no intention of harming anything. The people only wanted to learn!" Oh, dear gods! We have made a horrible mistake! Our stories from the past prophesy a coming of outsiders to study and learn of our ancestors and to spread the holy word throughout the land. Oh, woe! How can we repair this blunder?" I think that there was a blunder on both sides! I will contact the leader of the. "Why am Ichanging?"The shopkeeper laughed. "For a boy your age, change is a natural process. Everybody goes throughpuberty. You're just changing into a man." No, I'm fairly certain that isn't the case," sniffed Daniel.Gloria thanked the shopkeeper and led Daniel out of the store."I can't believe he's been lying to me this whole time," Gloria said,once outside the store.She turned to look at Daniel and saw the disappointment in his face andfelt terrible.Daniel could feel his hope fizzle away. It hit him that he asked his daughter if she wanted to be sold, he kissed her on the lips, and he wanted her to wear a short nighty. What was happening? How could he ever think that? He looked at the ring and took it off, throwing it into the fishbowl. He smiled and thought it was over. He would throw his daughters collar out tomorrow. Little did he know that the seeds were planted.Sasha’s servant helped tuck her in bed. She looked at the collar was on her nightstand. She picked it up and the.