"I... I already have yer highness." the woodcutter cried out.However, Caiden didn't believe him and decided that other methods were required. For the ...ext fifteen minutes, Caiden and his companion hit the old man between repeating the question, each time getting the same answer between sobs. The daughter just looked on in terror, held firmly in the large hands of Belvere. Finally, Caiden grew frustrated and pulled out his knife. He would make the old man talk...Several minutes later, Caiden. " I was nostranger to having a drink before flying, hopeful that it would take theedge off my nervousness. But I never really found it helpful. However, Ididn't want to be rude by rejecting it.The drink she prepared for me was definitely unusual, both the sight andsmell of it. In the clear plastic cup, the drink's pale purple color wasobvious. It almost looked like diluted grape soda. Despite this, I foundit oddly appealing. I brought the cup up to my face and inhaled. Apleasant, sweet smell. "Most call me Jaycee, Sergeant Gordon," I shouted back."Ah Jaycee, fresh meat for the beasts," a female voicewhispered from my left, others were making noises about myapparent respect for authority."Shut up all of you!" The Sergeant shouted and this timeeveryone could tell that he wasn't pissing around. "JustSarge will do, though it is nice to see a bit of respect inhere. Some of you could do with taking a leaf out of thisyoung man's book," the sounds of derision following thiswere proof that. "Sorry." Dave couldn't think of anything to say to reassure her."She'll get over it," Megan finally admitted.As they drove back along the embankment towards the hotel, Dave relaxed. Megan had stopped fiddling with the console switches and now stared out of the passenger window, her hands nervously fidgeting in her lap.Dave detected a strong aroma permeating the vehicle, a combination of a strong pungent perfume, sweat and mustiness. It was nothing unpleasant but something that he would have to.