I knew it because it belonged to a neighbor k** down the street who cut the lawn occasionally. I didn't think much about it thinking that perhaps Mar... had some yard work for him to do. I entered the house, and wandered over to the kitchen, grabbed a beer and looked around. Mary was nowhere to be found. Nor was anyone else. Having wandered briefly around most of the ground floor, I went in the back to see if anything was being done. Hmmm, nothing. I went back inside and walked upstairs,. However, something in the apple orchard had been interrupting the usual sounds of the past several nights and spooking the dogs. There were still potatoes and pumpkins in the garden that could easily be destroyed in a matter of minutes by a hoard of wild pigs. The goats and the chickens were out and about vulnerable to wild dogs. It was too risky to stay away from the farmhouse for too long.September 24, 2034Clark was again awakened for the third night in several days by the barking of the. I was just reading a book that Miss Lori loaned me."She declined and remained standing, although she did shut my door. "Something on your mind, My Lady?" You are going to win tomorrow, that is what Postulant Chandra says. She says that you are the best swordsman that she has ever seen." She offered worriedly."Honestly?" She nodded. "From what I have seen of this place's fighters, I won't lose. His only chance is a lucky throw of the dagger." What then, what are you going to do with me, Milord?". Shetried to cover up. Then her eyes met his. Grey eyes.They were full of knowledge and wisdom and wanting. Andloneliness. He showed no aggression towards her. Hernudeness she soon discovered was mere curiosity. Shewas near her period and her scent must have excitedhim.Over the course of the next few days she tried toescape, only to run into more of those lizard things.And the gorilla stopped them each time. She realized hewasn’t holding her captive as much as protecting her.He brought her.