I joltedto and quickly looked around. To my relief it was justone of our dogs Sam a German Shepherd mix. I jokingly said to him “thanks for the ...care.” I wentback to what I was doing not paying him attention tillI felt a cold object touch my crotch. Again I jumpedand pushed Sam away asking him if he was crazy. Afterthe second interruption, with reluctance, I told myselfanother time and went to get my cloths. As I bent over to get my things Sam again stuck hisnoise in my crotch but. The most expensive silk sheets in the entire palace covered a mattress so soft that Amina was convinced a feather would sink into it. Sleeping on his perch inside of the diamond-encrusted cage was a magnificent songbird. He was bright blue, and his angelic voice had caused many a menagerie owner to shake his fists in envy. Hakim had bought it for her on one of his many journeys, a present for her services. She wasn't used to being the favorite yet, all the special treatment, having her own. ."I will be honest," Lil said, "now that the damned compass has, finally, done more than just point ... I'm scared." She hugged herself, despite the closeness of the fire. Kik, perched next to her, held her close. The fairies sat on a wooden cross, shoved into the dirt between Sam and the other two humans. Sam had made it for them a month before their ocean journey, crossbeam padded to protect bare bottoms. Kik looked over at Heather and Cathy, seated on a log."Did either of you ... sense. The royal army was arrayed in full dress uniform, each of them carrying a broken spear. The former Hai Krun soldiers were there as well, though in civilian clothing, since they were no longer allowed to bear arms.The lord Ramad Menadin had returned, dressed in white as well. His face was twisted, his eyes pale. With him were some of his own family, a pair of cousins and a nephew. Also there were a company of Hai Menadin soldiers, in blue with white sashes. Those who had marched against the Hai.