’ Edge echoed his statement, followed by Venn who gave his report on the mission and introduced Mica as the metal worker that had agreed to accompan... them to the city. ‘He may seem young,’ Venn concluded, ‘but the bandit village of Judah tried to stop us from taking him which I believe shows his worth.’ ‘Was the treaty with Judah endangered?’ Boreas, the leader of the clan asked. ‘I do not believe so, the boy was only a visitor there, though, Judah did try to give him the protection of his. Cindy called out and a big, black mare lifted her head and started toward them.Twenty minutes later Mandy watched in awe as the little girl, perched on the big horse, dashed this way and that, circling barrels while the other horses moved away, as if in agreement that this couple should have room to play. The girl rode as if glued to the saddle, and Mandy felt a little jealousy, because she was quite sure she could never ride like that.She wandered back and forth between watching Cindy working. It’s hollow so we can’t use it to support a lot of weight, so we brought the electrical and plumbing up through the hollow part. Then, we have this water purifier, which takes the run-off from the showers...”“I have my own shower!” Julie blurted out.Pete nodded. “You have two of them, for when you have guests. So this water purifier,” he continued, “takes the shower run-off, filters it to almost good enough to drink, and uses that to flush toilets. It only uses city water for that if there. We talked until almost midnight. I was still on east coast time, so I was the one that petered out first.As she escorted me to the elevators she whispered, "If you like, I will spend the night in your room. That way I will be your hostage. I will be a very co-operative hostage." And then she smiled that smile all women can produce. I could really get to like this woman."Maria, I love your offer, but I fear that your father might object. I know if you were my daughter I wouldn't like you.