"Perhaps we can use that to our advantage." I turned to the captain of the guard. "Tell our invaders that we wish to stop the bloodshed and make peace..."Three strapping men strode into the Main Hall of the palace armed with swords. Their leader spoke. "I am Prince Karl. You wish to surrender?" Surrender? No. We wish to make peace. Form an alliance. " What makes you think I want an alliance? I have only to give the word and my men will overrun what little force you have left at your disposal.. We both laughed in pleasant surprise."Why didn't you tell me you were coming so I could pick you up?" Mom admonished me as the taxi pulled away. "I wanted to surprise you," I said. Actually, I didn't want to be a bother. I was kind of bummed out showing up at home almost broke. Truth be known, if I could have found a job, I wouldn't have come home."Well, you did that." Mom suddenly jumped up and kissed me again. "I'm so happy to see you!"Mom turned around and led the way into the house."Are you. After school was out Vikki met Justin at the gates and greeted Julie Morris like an old friend and suddenly the gang of seven she knew from her Justin's school became eight. And if Julie's placed wasn't cemented as part of the gang before, it was then.Then Vikki informed Justin that a copy of the DVD of the two of them and Robin and Sarah and Allan and Anna with the group was on it way to Rebecca Clarke at Maria's old school before she accompanied him to his 4:00pm appointment with Lois. Tink’s attention shifted to motion on the deck some thirty meters beneath her. The ship’s constable and two deckhands dragged a hapless sailor above decks. The man was chained at the wrists and ankles. Whatever his crime, his captors dragged him to the Mizzen mast and hoisted by the wrist chains to a stretched-standing position with a light block and tackle. As the man stood on the balls of his feet, the constable directed the deckhands to wrap his body in other light chains that had small.