And, I looked at the outline of Nightbreeze in the dark, so far it had proven to be so.There was heat down there. I could feel the air, as dry as no c...llar in a port city should ever be. But whether it was greencoal or something more sinister I could not tell.We both stumbled when after descending some thirty even yet steep steps of smooth stone, our seeking feet met the surface of the next step higher up that what we had become accustomed to. We were down at the bottom. The darkness was now so. The realities of life intervened then and Gwennie’s existence was one long round of washing, cleaning and cooking for some years after the baby arrived. For some reason, perhaps not unconnected with a secret visit to the doctor, there was no brother or sister for Nicola in the first few years. After that the few physical attractions Gwennie had had to offer were lost in a mountain of fat induced by regular large doses of fish and chips, or the Cardiff speciality, curry with half-and-half (half. Tuk told him that it was much like his own kingdom, with good roads, protected against outlaws, prosperous, and welcoming of traders. He suggested a special envoy be sent, and promised that he would be treated well enough if possibly shook down for small bribes by the Imperial guard, who considered it a small tax toward their upkeep, and not malfeasance. And who was to say it wasn't, as long as they kept it within reason. Inspectors traveled incognito to make certain that it was a reasonable. We talked during a late dinner, mostly about work -- not too much about ourselves. I was getting worried she wasn't interested enough in me, but when I asked if I could take her out again sometime, she said yes. "When's good for you?" I asked. "Ask me next week," Janine replied. Now I thought she was putting me off again, but I didn't say anything. All the next week I practiced being a good sport when she shot me down. Because of her work with abused women, the last thing I wanted to think was.