'Angela sat up, propped herself on one elbow and looked over.'What's up, Liz?' she asked quietly. 'You've been like a bearwith a sore head since we le...t.''I don't know,' I said, rolling over to stare at the wall.'Goodnight, Angie.'After a moment, Angela switched off the light.I did know, I knew these next few nights would probably be thelast on earth for Elizabeth Grey. It would be impossible for meto hurt Mum, I just couldn't and that meant that I had toresurrect Allan and Elizabeth Grey had. His eyes shewed no grief for hurting me, and his reluctance at dislodging from quarters of which the warmth and closeness had given him a gust of pleasure only served to make him now desire-mad to satisfy his lust on this novice and not be afraid of my withholding his relief, on account of the pain he had put me to.I knew that my state of affairs was dire and that with no help or sympathies at hand I decided I ought make the best of my circumstance and so I relaxed as much as my distressed mind. "If tonight was an example of what happens every time you play, I'm sure that you do very well," Ted said."Tonight was a little better than usual, but I still do very well. Didn't someone once say that there's a sucker born every minute?" Gail laughed.After another drink and another half hour of conversation Gail rose to leave, saying that she had to get up early to get her daughter off to school. She shook his hand and then met his eyes and said softly, "Ted, I hope that whatever is wrong is. “Yes, my boost reserves are all but depleted. How can a human be so fast?”“A lot of it is avoidance, in being in a place where your sword can’t easily get past her defences, but also placing you in a position where to do so exposes yourself to a counterstroke,” I explained.“Yes...”“Also, don’t forget that this is her at normal speed, she’s far worse when able to use magic as well,” I added as we walked to the mess tent for a late breakfast. I had informed Arch of the delay.“I am glad it was you.