" Something had caught my tongue and there wasn't a cat in sight. I wish, dear reader, I could tell you that I protested and fought the good fight but...that would be a lie. I meekly got up and headed into the bathroom. After showering and shaving I emerged from the steam-filled bathroom wearing only my robe and a pair of slippers. Sarah looked at me. "I thought I told you to shave." "I did shave," I said, rubbing my chin. "What about those?" she said, pointing at my legs. It was at this moment. I’m not going to try to console you, because I realize that at this point it would just be irritating. What I can do for you is help to numb. Want to get drunk?’ She lets down her guard now, and I see a smile. I smile too, and start to feel better about my fucked up conscious. An hour later, I’ve gotten my vodka, well her vodka now too, and we walk to another park. We drink, we talk, we know each other, through ten ounces of Smirnoff. I stash the rest in my bag, and contemplate the rest of my. The clash of armies... blood staining the sands... " He paused and shook his head. "It was never about naval power. It never is. It is always about the people. The soldiers. The killing. Whoever is left standing wins. It is that simple. It always is."Tarras took a long, deep breath, folding his hands behind him. Janna felt her heart thump as if expecting the armies of long ago to materialize around them."Oceanus was built on blood, Janna," he said softly. "Many nations are. But many nations. I mean if it's only going to frustrate me, why bother? But I know David wants it, so I grudgingly go along with it. But we both know my heart isn't in it," she said."Yes, I can see that would be a problem. An unsatisfactory or unbalanced sex life has been the cause of a great many divorces and breakups. When one person is unhappy with the way things are going, it affects both of them and can lead to some very strained relationships," I told her."Well, it has with us. David has taken to working.