“I was hoping to get some food before I headed out today. Is there anything left from morning meal I could have?”She indeed did jump but turned wi...h a smile and a light giggle. She then walked over to the wood stove, put on some gloves and grabbed a metal plate that was sitting on the top of it. She had put another metal plate on top of it, and when she removed the top plate, it revealed a full meal.“I put this aside for you this morning and placed it on the stove when I heard you get up. I. The spirit traces led them to a strong spirit, blazing in its flawed intensity. They watched the old Russian asleep in his lonely quarters."He is like two men struggling within one body, my wife. The one seeks to preserve; the other seeks to destroy. We have seen many who harbor such a conflict within themselves, the struggle between light and darkness. But this one, it is a wonder he has not already fallen into the black pit. He must be a strong one to cling to his waking days; to withstand. The extras were fitted with their tack for easy carrying then two were secured to the back of each wagon by their lead ropes as spares. It was highly unlikely we would have to change them out, but if we did, we were ready. I wasn’t familiar with mules, so the men spent a few minutes showing me the differences, which were relatively minor, between driving mules and horses. I learned straightaway that mules are a LOT smarter, stronger and more durable than horses. They were the perfect dray. She checked herself one last time in the mirror, and satisfied with the results, placed the hairbrush back in its place underneath the mirror at her dressing table. She stood up and turned towards the full-length mirror. Except for the fact that she was only wearing a matching set of a black bra and black panties, she could have been headed out to the opera for the evening.“Are you ready?” her husband asked her.She took a deep breath. “I think so,” she said.“Then let’s get this collar on.